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MIDWEEK February 8, 2017

LEADERSHIP RETREAT, THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

ALL TEAM Leaders and Team Members of St. Paul’s are asked to be present from 8:30-Noon

SPRC, Trustees, Finance Team, Outreach, Health Ministries, staff and more are asked to join us for this special gathering as we cast vision for our

immediate future and the coming years ahead.

The St. Paul's Youth Group will host a Valentine’s Dinner THIS Sunday, February 12. A meal will be followed by dessert and musical entertainment provided by the Youth Group performers. There are 4 openings at the 5:30 PM seating 15 openings still available at 7 PM. Don’t miss this time for a

great dinner and support our youth! Contact the Korbs at makorb0413@yahoo.com to reserve your spot!

WEEKLY GATHERINGS Office Hours 9 AM – 2 PM Monday-Friday

Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 AM

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Boy Scouts Mondays at 7 PM

Seeking Serenity 12 Step Meeting Tuesdays at 6:30 PM

Chancel Choir Rehearsal Tuesdays at 6:45 PM

Heartsong Liturgical Movement Rehearsals as needed

Handbell Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays at 7 PM

TOPS Meeting Wednesdays at 6 PM

NAMI 4th Thursdays at 7 PM

Fridays Pastor’s Sabbath Daisy Troop various Fridays

AA Meeting Saturdays 7 PM

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Friday, February 10 Celebration of Life for James Smith, 9 AM-1 PM Saturday, February 11 Annual Leadership Team Retreat 8:30 AM-NOON Sunday, February 12 Scout Sunday Sunday, February 12 Youth Group Valentine Dinner at 5 PM Saturday, February 18 Habitat for Humanity Springlake Project

from 9 AM-3 PM

Monday, February 20 Trustees Meeting at 6:30 PM Thursday, February 23 NAMI Meeting at 7 PM

Tuesday, February 28 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner from 5-7 PM

Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday Service Location TBD

Friday, March 3 JOY Dinner at Applebee’s & Play at Middletown HS starting at 6 PM

District Leadership Training March 4 at Simpson UMC and March 25 at Elkton UMC

Monday, March 6 SPRC Meeting at 6:30 PM

March 17-25 Pastor Karin’s trip to Israel March 26-29 Pastor Karin at UMCOR Training Academy Saturday, April 1 Women’s Retreat Saturday, April 1 Spring Clean Up from 8-11 AM

Monday, April 3 UMM Staying on Par with God 9 AM Tee Time Monday, April 3 SPRC Meeting at 6:30 PM Tuesday, April 4 UMM Bible Study in Fellowship Hall at 9 AM

Thursday, April 6 UMM Golf Meeting in Fellowship Hall at 10:30 AM

Saturday, April 8 Easter Egg Making 8 AM-2 PM

Tuesday, April 11 UMM Bible Study in Fellowship Hall at 9 AM

Thursday, April 13 MAUNDY Thursday Service

Saturday, April 15 Habitat for Humanity Springlake Project from 9 AM-3 PM

Sunday, April 16 Easter Sunday Worship at 7, 8:30 & 11 AM

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to praise God in vibrant worship

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 SCOUT SUNDAY

REGULAR WORSHIP AT 8:30 & 11 AM Please Wear your Name Tags!

Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet: Commandment Collaborators

FOCUS SCRIPTURES: I Corinthians 3:1-9; Deuteronomy 30:15-16,19-20 and Matthew 5:21-30, 33-36 as subtexts CEB

Our Yellow Hat goes to support Parsonage Restoration for Rev. Kevin Benjamin, Port Penn & Delaware City UMC

Worship Coordinator 8:30 AM 11 AM

Ushers: June Stemmle Paul Loder, Greg Apps, John Harmer, Todd

Korb, Alan Martin, Dave

Sydnor, Dave Pearl

Denis Shaffer, Dean Hatton, John Harmon &

Charlii Miller

Liturgist & Announcements Kendall Reitzes Scouts

Greeters Scouts Scouts

Acolyte Sarah Apps Scouts

Com. Set-up: Kathy Chas Cathy Blanco 2 Chalices 1 loaf + plate

of non-gluten

3 Chalices 1 loaf + plate of non-gluten

Com. Servers: Carole Harmon

Natalie & Kendall Reitzes

Scouts

Choir Com. Servers

Young Disciples Wendy Wallace Brenda Shaffer

Word in Song All of These Craig Curry

Flowers: Janet Rowley Linda Botsford in honor of her granddaughter Alexandra

Fellowship: Kathy Chas Gay Workman, Ann Baker, Burtie Hutchison, Estelle Peters, Susan Haberstroh, Nadine Johnson &

Alice Mullins

Counters: G. Guessford Ginny Guessford & Carolyn Stanley

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THIS WEEK’S YELLOW HAT On MLK day, Rev. Kevin Benjamin, pastor of Port Penn & Delaware City United Methodist Churches, awoke to thick smoke covering the bedroom. As he rushed down to the basement, his oldest daughter was heroically putting out the fire in the laundry room while his wife Jenny, began putting out the electrical fire that was growing behind the walls. Everyone was safe and the fire department came to secure the area. “Although we will be in temporary housing for several months, I just thank God for sparing us from what could have been. We are also grateful for the many family and friends that have expressed support to us through this transition.”

FLOWERS Don’t forget to sign up to honor a loved one, to remember a dear friend, to celebrate a life event by providing flowers for worship. Sign up on the chart in Fellowship Hall. Remember to note the date and whom you are honoring and when preparing your arrangement, keep the colors of the liturgical season in mind.

Dear Companions on the Journey: Having the Mind of Christ… The Apostle Paul offers much encouragement and gives much advice in his first letter to the Church at Corinth. The Church was in turmoil. The world around it was no better. Factions and finger-pointing, name-calling and downright meanness were a part of daily life—even in the Church. While it can be discouraging to see that humanity still engages in this ugliness, I take solace in Paul’s counsel and instruction: boast only in the Lord and have the mind of Christ. In a world of warring opinions, politicians and armies, having the mind of Christ is no easy task. But it may be the ONLY task that will save us from ourselves. Like you, I have

opinions on the policies and actions in our country and even more importantly, on the policies and actions of our denomination. Much is in flux. It is unsettling and easy to slip into a state of fear. But Paul and scripture remind us over and over again that at the center of our faith is the cross of Christ—the symbol of total sacrifice on behalf of others, on behalf of you and me and the rest of the world. And that sacrificial love can and must bind us together when our sin tries to rip us apart. We may not all agree in the days ahead but let us seek the thinking that is the mind of Christ in our dealings with one another. As your pastor I seek to have the mind of Christ, the heart of Christ, the servant hands and feet of Christ. For each of you. And for the world. I covet your prayers in this task. In Christ’s peace and blessing,

Pastor Karin

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MUSIC MINISTRY NOTES

At St. Paul’s we are deeply blessed by hard working and dedicated members of our Chancel Choir. In addition to presenting anthems each week at the 11:00 worship service and at special services throughout the year; our choir also performs four other very important roles that were recently discussed in depth by Brian Hehn, former Director of Music at Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas.

According to Hehn, four key roles of a church choir are to:

Lead and enliven the congregation’s song Sing music that the congregation cannot Serve as a small-group within the church for faith formation Sing music that glorifies God and edifies the congregation

Beginning in this issue of the Mid - Week Memo and continuing through the next three issues, the Music Notes articles will provide a brief recap of Hehn’s thoughts on each one of these key roles.

The first key role Hehn identifies is the choir leading and enlivening the congregational singing. Hehn embraces the thinking of church musician John

Ferguson, who viewed the congregation as the “big choir,” and the church choir as the “little choir,” Hehn suggest that as a “little choir” the church choir acts as leaders in building up the congregation’s song and enhances the congregation’s preparation for greater discipleship through the soul-embracing power of song.

Put another way, I suggest we view our Chancel Choir as the lead goose in a V formation with the rest of the formation (the congregation) following the leaders and encouraging each other onward and upward with a joyful noise.

In next week’s Music Notes, we will recap Hehn’s thoughts on the second key role of a church choir -- singing music that the congregation cannot.

Until then I encourage you to not only join with your fellow believers at St. Paul’s this coming Sunday but also encourage a friend or neighbor who may be unchurched to come with you and be part of the “big choir” at St. Paul’s. Or consider becoming a member of our chancel choir. You will truly be blessed by this family.

As always please contact me at shelley@goeaston.net or at 443.786.9010 if you have any questions or need more information about this opportunity to serve or any of the other opportunities to serve in the Music Ministry at St. Paul’s.

Blessings, Shelley

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to deepen our spiritual walk with Christ

Health Ministry Team In the past several years it has been my pleasure to serve as your Parish Nurse. To date our Health Ministry Team has been comprised of Pastor Karin and me. The constant changes in health care today presents an ongoing challenge bringing complexities of health care issues and concerns. In effort to meet these challenges we believe a Health Ministry Team is essential. Health Ministries are not new and can be found in the Bible, rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition and historic practices of health care. Preventive healthcare is also a part of our Wesleyan heritage. Health Ministries REACH UP to seek God's healing presence, REACH IN as we care for members of our Christian fellowship and REACH OUT to others and continually look ahead to anticipate and best meet the health needs of our communities of today and the future. As a 21st century extension of Christ's healing the focus is on the whole person; physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially. Our goal then is to focus on the unique health needs of our congregation and educate and empower people to live healthier lives. In our faith community we are blessed with professional peers each with their competencies towards achieving our mission. To date we have acquired several professional nurses, a dietician and a volunteer care giver to provide medical, spiritual and emotional comfort to our congregation and families. To further enhance our team we would greatly appreciate a Social Worker and Physical Therapist. Should there be anyone able to meet this need please Contact me at anews3536@yahoo.com. I have been a member of the United Methodist Pen-Del Conference Health Ministry team for several years and I know with a committee we shall be better able to serve you. Ann Newswanger

Flip Out at the ANNUAL

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 in Fellowship Hall from 5-7 PM Fatten up at our Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper before you begin Lent. Mouth-watering pancakes, hot syrup, sausage & and more! Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 204

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SOLD: HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN DELAWARE Wesley theology calls us to engage and commit ACTS OF JUSTICE in the world. Learning about and preventing Human Trafficking is just one way to do this and is one of the issues in which The United Methodist Women is deeply engaged. Michelle Myers Wall is hosting the local screening of the award-winning film SOLD followed by a discussion on how human trafficking impacts Delaware, on behalf of American Mothers, Inc. The event will be on March 16th at The Everett Theatre. Doors will open at 6:30 PM

and the film will start at 7 PM. Tickets will be $10. St. Paul’s is purchasing a block of tickets and they will be available soon here at the church—please contact the office if you want a ticket NOW as we anticipate that this will be a filled event.

SOLD tells the unforgettable story of a girl who risks everything for freedom after being trafficked from her mountain village in Nepal to a brothel in India. It is both a call to action and a testament to the power and reliance of the human spirit. This event will raise funds for the Coalition on Human Trafficking and the Delaware Chapter of American Mothers to fight against and bring awareness to the problem of Human Trafficking. Human trafficking isn’t a problem of the past-it’s an epidemic in the here and now. NOTE: The version of the film being shown is recommended for individuals who are 15 and older.

OPEN THE BOOK & APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN

ADULT STUDIES at 9:45 this Sunday

When was the last time you opened a Bible? How do you navigate through it? What difference does it make to know what scripture says and how does it relate to the Sunday morning proclamations and to our daily lives? Adult Studies resumes this Sunday at 9:45 in Fellowship Hall as we enter the world of Bible study. You don’t have to know it all or even very much—just be willing to open the book, read it a bit, listen to what folks say, offer your questions—and there, you’ve started! Facilitated by Pastor Karin & Ryan Scott.

SUPPORT ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH THIS VALENTINE'S DAY Valentine's Day is February 14. Add a calendar reminder a week before Valentine’s Day

to buy your gifts at smile.amazon.com.

Thank you so much to all the cupcake taste testers! I had so much collecting data for my STEM fair project. My project is testing if people eat with their eyes or their taste buds. All of the cupcakes you sampled were vanilla, although many of you tasted flavors that matched the color you saw. I'm still compiling the data, but I'll be happy to share the results when my project is complete. Thanks again! Kendall Reitzes

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FAMILY LIFE DEPARTMENT UPDATES from Vicki

Spence

The Buckworth’s were the recipients of one of our many Valentines which you can still make. Add a little joy to the lives of our community and make one this Sunday for our own congregants, for Maggie Maccombs and for our Veterans! The Valentine Table is in the Narthex!

JOYS & CONCERNS: Please take the opportunity to go to the website (www.stpaulsodessa.org) to complete a prayer request—it is the most convenient, 24-7 way to get your concerns on our prayer lists. Please alert the office when someone can be taken OFF the list by emailing stpodessa@stpaulsodessa.org. Submitting a Prayer Request is the best and most assured way that your request will be added to the mid-week and worship folder but for HIPAA reasons PLEASE get permission before adding. We do our best to keep up with the needs of our congregation, but we may not always have up-to-date information. If you or a loved one are in need of a pastoral visit,

please call the church office to schedule.

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RECENTLY ADDED: Jan Corby, Ann Newswanger, Ike Guessford, Joshua Smith, Diane Shoun, Charlotte & Ronnie Miller, Bill Foster, Jr.; Jeff & Kresta Foster, John & Kathy Carneal, Eugene Scott and Family on the loss of Eugene’s sister, Frances Scott; Blake Crothers, Matt Outten, Jerry Emerson, Joyce Perkins & Family on the loss of her husband, Dan CONTINUED PRAYER:

Ellie Leuliette Kitty Hutchison Lisa Vig Jerry Emerson Eugene Austin Jan Nixon on the loss of her husband John Bucky Buckworth Mark Holden Happy Fox Dawn Buckworth Jane Ryan Billie Joe Mullins Jimmy Turner Jeanne Hatton Charlotte Miller Blanche Bailey Scherer Family Stephen George Ian Jack Paula Long Louise Roberts Barbara Hatch Ryan Whitmer Kenneth Jani Dennis Turk Alice Reed Kathy Thomas Gadaleta

Jeraldine Mullins Jerry Emerson Jill Rison Dawn Knode Marvin Sharon Sweetman Joanne Tidwell Adam Lex Eleanor Cleaver Laura Lassiter Oliver Brian Wells Leila Siddique Butch Vanderwende

Candido Souras Kelley Jones

Mel Dernberger Ashley Gouge Kim McClain Dot Coleman Ankit Gohil Bun Slaughter Dick Vanderloo Kelly Swab Zoe Haupt Mary Ann Seal Mark Johnson Kristi Owen Thomas Lewis Phil Sousa Debby Kuhinski Jim McCall

Robyn Allen Ginny Pickett Norm Herron Michael Whitehead Mario Semmler Donna Kristin Jones Kayla Madeline Parker Hansa Christian Chip Johnson Diane Jones Linda Pritchett Elaine Bramante Eric Blakely Aston Morris Hudson Haws Bryan Kerr Paul Whittenberger Dennis Martin David Pat Smith Justine Broehl Walt Leipold Sheridan Outten Merle Ciesielski Jean Keane Bill Glass Maggie McCombs

Celeste Cox

BIRTHDAYSFebruary 8 Steve Anderson Eleanor Cleaver Sam Moore

February 9 Benjamin Shaffer February 10 Chris Chappelle

ANNIVERSARIESFebruary 12 Richard & Joyce Nelson

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Wilmington District Leadership Training Saturday March 4 9 AM-Noon Simpson UMC 907 Centerville Rd. Wilmington, DE 19804

Saturday March 25 9 AM-Noon Elkton UMC 219 E Main St. Elkton, MD 21921 All new and/or returning chairs & members are encouraged to attend $7.00/Person –

Includes Materials Distributed at Workshop & Light Morning Refreshments Workshops

• Pastor Parish Relations (SPRC) - Rev. Joseph Archie, DS • Finance - William Westbrook

• Small Membership Church - Rev. Jonathan Whitney • Evangelism - Rev. John Dunnack

• Worship- Rev. John Hornberger & Rev. Amy Peters Flyer & Registration

Form: www.wilmingtondistrict.org/2017LeaderTrng.pdf

Wilmington District Lay Servant Academy Spring Courses for 2017

Tuesday, April 18* thru Tuesday, May 16 7:00 PM-9:30 PM St. Mark’s UMC, 1700 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE Thursday, April 20* thru Thursday, May 18 7:00 PM-9:30 PM Elkton UMC, 219 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD

Opening night registration begins at 6:00 PM, both sites. Registration Fees, All Courses: $35.00

Registration form and payment must be submitted by April 4, 2017 Make checks payable to the United Methodist Wilmington District.

Mailed completed form and payment to Registrar:

Karen Hayes 4 Carsdale Court

Wilmington, DE 19808 (302) 384-7175

GENTLE OFFICE REMINDERS

PLEASE HONOR OUR NEIGHBOR Cindy across the street at 407 Main by NOT PARKING in front of her home, especially on weekends. Her husband is handicapped and needs assistance getting into their home. She is working with DELDOT and the town of Odessa to get an “official” handicapped designation. In the meantime, let’s be good and gracious and loving neighbors!

Building Ministry & Church Calendar – If your group is meeting at the church please check the church calendar to ensure your space is reserved. Please contact the office if your meeting is canceled or needs to be rescheduled.

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Pastor Karin’s email is pastort@stpaulsodessa.org. The office email is stpodessa@stpaulsodessa.org –please note that they are different.

NO NUTS POLICY— remember that we do NOT provide any refreshments or foodstuffs with any nut products.

PLEASE ANNOUNCE YOUR PRESENCE AS YOU ENTER THE CHURCH DURING THE WEEK.

TO ACCESS THE DIRECTORY go to the website and click on About Our Church > scroll down to Church Directory > USER NAME is member > PASSWORD is spumc

MIDWEEK UPDATES If you have updates for our weekly Midweek Memo, please email them to the office at stpodessa@stpaulsodessa.org or place them in the Office mailbox by each Tuesday at noon.

PLEASE REMEMBER to fill out the Kitchen Food Medical Agreement Form if you are helping in the kitchen and handling food.

If you are using the Church for any reason, please check the calendar so there are no conflicts then contact the office to schedule.

with acts of love & compassion

PAK-A-SAK…17 bags were collected. Yay! Once again, a big thank you to Bill &

Margie Apps for delivering to the Neighborhood House.

SOUPER BOWL NEWS We have a great committee, which not only includes myself but also Burtie Hutchison, Gay Owens, Susan Haberstroh, Nadine Johnson, Ann Baker, Alice Mullins, Estelle Peters (who was unable to be with us this year) and although Joyce Nelson is not on the committee she is always there with a helping hand. Rich and Scott Nelson also came to helped set up tables on Friday. We had lots of soup makers: Burtie Hutchison, Ginny Guessford, Lloyd Sheats (even though they were in FL, they delivered it the day before they left so we could have it), Dave Workman, Rob Baker, Joe Chas, Karen Douty, Brenda Schaffer, Carolyn Stanley,

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Alice Mullins, Keith Whitmer and Ellie Leuliette [who also was unable to be here but made sure we had soup from her] as well as myself. The soups were all DELICIOUS! To say we had a select few, we did not, we have a VILLAGE in what we call St. Paul’s UMC! It was a wonderful group that pulled together and made it all happen. So far, we have collected $1024.00 and I think there still be a couple more donations. As you know the past 5 years we have given to Maggie McCombs, my cousin’s 26-year-old daughter, who was shot and is paralyzed. Maggie’s family are overwhelmed with your outpouring of love and support. I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who helped as well as everyone who came and ate and bought soup to take home. Your loving generosity continues to amaze me. Because without every one of you it would not have been the success that it was. Kathy Chas

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SPECIAL OLYMPICS DELAWARE POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

REHOBOTH BEACH, FEBRUARY 5 at 1 PM Thank you St. Paul's for the many donations to the Special Olympics Delaware Polar Bear Plunge. There were 3,062 polar bears that ran into the Atlantic, and over $900,000 was raised to provide the funding for the many sports in which the 4,000 athletes participate. Matt is the reason my daughter Melanie coaches Special Olympic athletes and teaches special education. We are blessed to have so many special friends at St.

Paul's. We are all people of God and your love shines through to all people, a blessing from above. Many thanks for your gifts. God Bless, Cathy Blanco