Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!

Please don’t throw me out of your presence; please don’t take your holy spirit away from me.

Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12

“To know and follow Christ and to help others know and follow Christ.”

MARCH > 2016

Page

1

Back Cover

Page

6

Page

9

Visual FaithLenten Series at St. Paul’s UMC

LENT

1340 3rd Ave SE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 | 319.363.2058 | www.stpaulsumc.org

1340 3rd Ave SE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

Address Service Requested

Music Position Filled

Forward in FaithMoving Forward

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:1, 4

Ash Wednesday marks us with the cross of Christ. The following is taken from our Ash Wednesday liturgy:

The early Christians observed this time with great devotion, as converts to the faith prepared for baptism. If you had committed serious sins and had separated from the church, you were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness and restored to participation in the life of the Church. In this way the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith. We invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to observe a Holy Lent….

At St. Paul’s, this season is being marked by an invitation to participate in a small group called VISUAL FAITH. You’ll get to create (or find) and contemplate visual images that portray a part of scripture from Luke, as viewed through the lens of sojourners or sojourning. We’ll unpack the meaning of this lens and metaphor for us as Christians in each of our weekend worship experiences.

February 14 Luke 2:41-52

Sojourners as FamilyFebruary 21 Luke 5:17-26

Sojourners as FriendsFebruary 8

Luke 7:36-50 Sojourners as Forgiven

Psalm 51:10-12

Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me! Please don’t throw me out of your presence; please don’t take your holy spirit away from me. Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.

From Pastor SherrieLead Pastor

Page

1

March 6 Luke 10:38-42

Sojourners as Faithful

March 13 Luke 24:13-36

Sojourners as Forever People By looking at our lives as sojourners with Christ, we will walk the way of the cross, right up to Holy Week and Easter. It’s only through the way of the cross that the beauty of Easter Resurrection becomes brilliant in transforming good news. Walk with us this season of Lent and proclaim it to be holy.

Grace & Peace,Pastor Sherrie

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Welcoming

Page

2Pastor Allison’s Valentine’s Day cookie hat.

WorshipSunday

18:15 am | Communion Worship {Chapel}19:00 am | Traditional Worship* {Sanctuary}10:20 am | Sunday School for Children, Youth, & Adults10:30 am | Worship Café-Contemporary {Wesley Center}11:30 am | Worship Café-Contemporary {Wesley Center}12:00 pm | African Nationals Worship {Sanctuary}

TGIW {Thank God It’s Wednesday}

16:00 pm | Activities for all ages.

Thursday 10:30 am | Neighborhood Worship {Chapel}

Saturday 12:00 pm | African Nationals Worship {Room 117}

View Worship*Sunday’s 9:00 am traditional worship

may be viewed on:Mediacom Cable Channel 117-1*

*(for digital TV’s that do not have a cable box)

Mediacom Cable Channel 4**

**(for TV’s with a cable box) at 6:00 pm Wednesdays

ImOn Channel 4 at 10:00 am Thursdays

Invite someone to join you and worship God!

Circle Drive Ministry

With great appreciation to all of our Parking Lot Greeters and our Circle Drive Greeters! Thank you for covering us with care and grace. Photo taken by Kate Buroker

Join us at “Relay for Life” June 10-11St. Paul’s will again be represented at this signature event of the American Cancer Society. The Relay not only honors cancer survivors and remembers people we’ve lost, but also raises funds and awareness to help save lives.

Joining our Relay for Life team involves collecting some donations and, during the event, walking or running between 7:00 pm Friday and 1:00 am Saturday. This year’s Relay for Life has been moved to Kingston Stadium at 907 15th St SW. Register online to join our St. Paul’s team and receive a Relay for Life t-shirt. To join, go to www.relayforlife.org/linncountyia.

Go to “sign up” and log in or create an account. Then choose “join a team” and choose “St. Paul’s United Methodist Church” from the dropdown menu.

To watch St. Paul’s team evolve and/or to help donations climb, use the above website. If you need help with registering or have any questions, please call Jan Russell at 363-9733.

Join us for an Open House Baby Shower for Pastor Jonathan and Stephanie Heifner on Sunday, March 6, 2:00-4:00 pm at St. Paul’s UMC in

the Parlor. Jonathan and Stephanie are registered at Target and Amazon. If you would like, include one of your favorite children’s books with your gift or as your gift, and add a note as to why this is your favorite. Please RSVP to the church office at 319-363-2058 if you plan to attend prior to noon, Sunday, February 28.

OPEN HOUSE

On February 7 the First Graders celebrated their Prayer Milestone.

Second & Third Grade Milestone

Please join us in the Parlor on Sunday, April 3 from 10:20 am-12:00 pm to celebrate the Communion Milestone. This is not “First Communion” but is an opportunity for 2nd and 3rd graders and their families to learn about Communion’s meaning in our faith. (Third graders are included this year because they missed this Milestone last year.) Milestones Ministry is a way of marking certain milestones in faith development and knowledge of the Christian faith. Milestones are for children and their parents/grandparents, so please plan to attend together. Lunch is provided; siblings are welcome to join us for lunch after Sunday School. Please RSVP to Pastor Allison Warren by March 27 with the number for lunch and any dietary restrictions.

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt Needs You!Our Annual Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 26 at 10am, starting in the St. Paul’s sanctuary and then continuing in Redmond Park. This year we’re partnering with Collins Community Credit Union. This event takes lots of volunteers to clean up the park and hide eggs at 9am, so gather your friends and

Dates to KnowMarch 16 > Due to Cedar Rapids Spring Break, there are no TGIW dinner or children/youth activities March 16.

March 20 > Palm Sunday

March 26 > Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

June 10-12 > Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday mornings for a newly formatted VBS next summer!

Page

3

talk to Pastor Allison. You can also sign up online to help at www.stpaulsumc.org.

Palm Sunday, March 20

At 9:00, children are invited to pick up palms and gather at the back of the sanctuary for a procession at the beginning of worship. If 9:00 isn’t your usual service, no problem! There will be palms at all the services.

Who’s Going to Camp?As you plan for summer, find a time for United Methodist camps! St. Paul’s offers financial support at whatever level is necessary for your family to make camp a reality. Donations to our campership fund are always used and appreciated! Just make a check to St. Paul’s with “campership” in the memo line. Talk to Pastor Allison by April 1 if you’d like a campership.

DATE CHANGE: VBS, June 10-12, 2016!

Due to the planned construction on the building, we’ve had to move up VBS! Please update your calendars and plan to attend VBS June 10-12, 2016!

Children’s DiscipleshipQuestions? Contact Pastor Allison at allison@stpaulsumc.org or 363-2058.

Youth Discipleship

Adult Discipleship

Job 32:7 I said, “Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.” Often adults see youth as people to avoid. Youth see adults as people who are old and out of touch and so they avoid them as well. But, the truth is that youth don’t bite and adults are fun and have lots of wisdom to share. The challenge is bringing them together to experience that. On February 7 the youth, Compass Class, and other adults came

together for our first, now annual, joint Big Game Party. Over one hundred people attended and enjoyed food, fellowship, the Super Bowl, and table games. It was amazing to watch the interaction between the adults and youth of our church. A big thank you to John and Lois Mather for all their hard work and vision to make this happen. It is our prayer that others will see the benefit of a multi-generational gathering and

Big Game Party: Youth & Adults

Short Term Video Study/Discussion Kick off Spring with a new small group! Animate: Bible is a short term faith formation video discussion for all ages. Contemporary voices give perspective on the Bible that you may not have considered including Canon, History, Testaments, Gospels, Genre, Interpretation, and Grace. No reading, but lots to learn! Bring a friend! For more information contact Nancy AntonJensen at the Connection Center or at antonjensen@q.com. Sundays beginning March 13, 10:30-11:20 am in room 207.

Ways to PrayLooking for some ideas on how to pray and practice in prayer? Here’s your chance to try! Using

Reuben Job’s work to guide us, we will pray together and grow together each week in new ways to pray. Wednesdays beginning March 30, 6:00-7:00 pm in room 207. Nancy Anton Jensen

Join Voyagers’ Sunday School ClassWe will be beginning a new study about Jesus. Please see an introductory note from Chris Crilley that she gave to Voyagers when introducing the Study. Voyagers wants to invite all that are interested to join them in the study:

“I am a Seeker. A Seeker of Truth. Wisdom. Knowledge. I want to know more about Jesus and I want a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus. I want to Seek Jesus.

I invite you to join me on my journey of exploration seeking

Jesus. You see, I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember. I was raised in the Church, confirmed in the Church, married in the Church, worship and serve in the Church; and now I am raising my children in the Church.

As my children ask me questions about God, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I find myself re-exploring all of those foundations that I now take for granted as a Christian; as a follower of Christ.

It is time for me to start seeking again; seeking Jesus at a deeper level of Truth, Knowledge, and Wisdom.

Come along with me. Explore with me. Seek with me. I hope to learn a new thing or two; perhaps gain an insight I’ve never had before, and establish a deeper and more profound relationship with Jesus, my God and my Savior.Come along!”

Blessings, Chris Crilley

get involved. FYI, there is a multi-generational mission trip happening in July.

Blessings, Keith Pitts, Director of Youth Ministry

Page

5

Sending

One Million Books & One Million Reading Hours The Iowa United Methodists have set a goal of one million books and one million hours of reading to children. This is the new two-year initiative named “Change a Child’s Story.” When about one-quarter of Iowa fourth graders scored below the reading proficiency level on state-administered reading tests, this affects the future academic and socio-economic lives of 90,000 Iowa youngsters.

Recently endorsed by Bishop Julius Trimble and 1600 clergy and lay leaders, “Change a Child’s Story” is part of the greater effort at reducing poverty among Iowans. “Almost anyone can read to a child and help that child to read back to them,” declared the Rev. Clint Twedt-Ball of the Poverty to Opportunity task force, created last year to help identify ways the church can lead and facilitate anti-poverty measures. He observed that “providing kids living in poverty with books seemed like a good start,” but the idea goes far beyond collecting books and giving them away. “This is something that we all can be a part of – changing a child’s life by helping a child

to be able to read,” noted Iowa United Methodist Bishop Julius C. Trimble. “It’s not about politics. It’s about a passion for children and closing the gap between those who are in poverty and those who succeed in the educational journey of life.”

Children’s Ministry got us started last fall by giving away 322 children’s books at Trunk-or-Treat, hosted at Mission of Hope. Children were delighted to pick their own book to take home and keep.

What can we do as members of St. Paul’s UMC to assist this mission? Watch these pages for additional information about how you can participate in this opportunity.

Mission of Hope Special Offering: February 21This Special Offering will enable Mission of Hope to continue meaningful ministry to those with some of the most significant needs in Cedar Rapids. Mission of Hope offers meals, clothing, support, shelter, jail ministry, a food pantry, and worship.

Intergenerational Monthly MissionFebruary 21 is our next Intergenerational Monthly Mission, and we are creating care kits for the military! We need donations of small items and encouraging notes. Items that can be dropped at the Connection Center are:

• Knit Hats, Scarves, or Yarn for our knitters to make scarves • Small Plush Toys (6 inches or smaller)• Socks (preferably black, brown, green, tan; not white)• DVDs and CDs, Video Games, iPods, Computer Flash Drives,• Lip Balm (with extra seal) • Roll-on deodorant• Hand and Foot Warmers• Individually packaged razors• Pens, pocket-size waterproof notebooks or spiral pads• Shaving Cream (Gel or Cream based only)• Moist Towelettes (individual packets)• Dental Kits: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash (travel-size)• Travel-Size Board Games, Handheld electronic games• Bandana Coolers/Cool-Ties, Mini-Battery-operated Fans• Travel Size containers of Foot Powder• Screen Printed T-Shirts, Baseball Style Caps, Gloves• Holiday and General Occasion Greeting Cards (blank)• Gift Cards to chain stores or phone cards

March 6: One Great Hour of Sharing/ Christian Education March 27: Easter Offering (Easter Mission)April 3: Food Bank-Fill the Truck

Upcoming Special Offerings

Caring

Page

6

CPR/AED Class CPR/AED Class will be offeredon March 10 at St. Paul’s UMC in Room 315 from 3:00-5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you want an American Heart Association certification, cost is $10. If you want to learn what to do to be helpful to another rescuer you are welcome also. Class size is limited. Please register with Suzette in the church office at 363-2058.

Mary Horn, RNParish Nurse

Guidepost MagazinesIf you subscribe to Guidepost, please consider giving your magazines to St. Paul’s for recycling. There are many opportunities to pass these on.

Your Guideposts can be droppedoff at the Connection Center (center of main floor). Please remove your name and address.

Thank you,Nancy Nygren

Congregational Care Committee

Music MinistriesThe Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is pleased to announce that two part-time positions have been filled following the August, 2015 retirement of Carol Tralau, Director of Music Ministry, and the January 31 retirement of our Interim Music Director, Dr. Timothy Hein.

Joel Foreman, currently our director of contemporary worship, will expand his responsibilities by assuming the role of sanctuary choir director. He says he looks forward to working with such a “committed ensemble.” He begins as choir director on February 15.

Joel, a native of the Seattle area, graduated from Cornell College and has taught at Solon High School for eleven years. He received a master of education degree from Graceland University. Joel joined St. Paul’s staff last February. He and his family live in Mt. Vernon.

Dr. Mark Baumann, currently our principal organist, will expand his responsibilities by working with pastors on worship preparation, maintaining communication with all music group leaders, continuing as director of the men’s ensemble, and assuming directorship of the youth choir.

Music Positions Filled Mark graduated from Central College and earned a master’s degree in music and organ performance from the University of Iowa. There he also completed a dissertation on hymnology to earn his doctoral degree. Mark is an adjunct instructor at Kirkwood as well as a music educator in other settings.

The SPRC also expresses appreciation to Dr. Timothy Hein, handbell choir director, for serving a six-month Interim as Director of Music Ministry.

Jerry Oakland, Chairperson SPRC

Scholarships Available

Scholarships are available from:Iowa United Methodist

Church FoundationApplication due date: March 15, 2016

For more information: www.iumf.org

UMC General Board of Higher Education & Ministry

Application due dates: VariousFor more information: www.gbhem.org

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Foundation

Application due date: April 15, 2016For more information:

www.stpaulsumc.orgClick on St. Paul’s Foundation on the

home page, then Scholarships.

Prayer Requests for this devotion of caring will be added upon request and updated weekly. Communicate by use of the prayer request boxes, phone 363-2058, or e-mail: silg@stpaulsumc.org. Include a permission to share with others, or a request for confidentiality.

PrayerPrayer Devotions They recognized him as the same one who used to sit at the temple’s Beautiful Gate asking for money. They were filled with amazement and surprise at what had happened to him.

~ Acts 3:9-10

Hear our prayers for… • Peace and reconciliation in places of conflict throughout the world and for those serving through our military. • For our Lenten spiritual practices in Visual Faith. • Those struggling with addictions. • Celebrating the Baptism of Penelope Diane Holtcamp, daughter of Abigail and Jeff Holtcamp, sister of Kaydence). • For our Congregational Ministries and God’s continued blessings!

Continued healing & grace for... • Alice Ndayizeke • 3 friends of Heather Moore • Wayne Dvorak • Bill Stein • Tom Young (Sally) • Joyce Johnson (Tim) • Chuck Marple • Judy Franta • Milt Gade (Mary) • Ann Finneman (James) • Darlene Edwards (Marcia Baumann’s mother) • John McGee (Sandy) • Kay Galli (Bill) • Anna Habonimana • Macumi Elias

• Raine Allen (Dixie & Roger Allen’s granddaughter) • Carol Cassell • Kristin Simon • Lori Anton (sister-in-law of Nancy and Brice Anton Jensen) • Nora Mae Vance (Al) • Mina Arbore (John) • John McQuilkin (Jean Kwader’s father) • Clarence and Janette Mowery • Marea Bowman (Dan & Sally McAleer’s niece) • Mike Myers (Suzanne) • Isaiah Hatfield (premature infant son of Anya and ElizabethHatfield,grandson of Amy and Scott Bruner) • Whit Bohning (Linda Hadley’s great grandson) • Ryan Vick • Pam Anslyn (friend of Angela Stookey) • Marilyn Everett (Tamara Young’s mother) • Jan Keene (Kevin) • Scott Spoerl (Barb Newhall’s grandson) • Devin Simon (Kristin Simon’s nephew) • Heidi DeJong (Chaun) • Angela Stookey • Kris Yahn (Steve) • Quinn Anton Jensen (Nancy and Brice Anton-Jensen’s son) • Matthew Hudson (Fran Nathanson)

The Church of Jesus Christ, St. James-Trinity Church Cedar Rapids, and Pastor Carol Sundberg.

Memorial prayers for the families and friends of... • Rosemary Rich • Dick Asprooth (Lynn)

• Elaine Goetz (John) • Jane Pooley (wife of Vern, deceased) • Gary Butts (Mary) • Elaine Ericson (Spouse of the late Rev. Denton Ericson)

Those under Hospice Care... • Bee Judson (Elaine Oxenford’s family member) • Corrine Smallridge (Vicki Comer’s mother)

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Page

7

Honor the memory of loved ones for $10. Please call the church office at 363-2058 or place your check and order form in the collection plate on Sunday. Easter lilies may be taken after the final Sunday service on March 27 or picked up on Monday, March 28. Easter lilies will be delivered to shut-ins on Tuesday, March 29. Please return form and payment to church office. Deadline for orders is Tuesday, March 1, 2016.

order your

Easter Liliesby March 1

Etc.Photos for WebsiteIn preparation for our new website, we are going to be taking photos to show our worship, facilities and events at St. Paul’s. A photographer will be at all 4 worship services on February 28 and at TGIW on March 2. Be yourselves, and please refrain from looking at the camera, as we want to get the most natural settings on film. He will be as unobtrusive as possible; however, he may be seen roaming around the sanctuary during worship. Thank you for your time and patience with this project. It is a very important piece of our identity in our community and will help reach out to those in need.

Coming Soon: March 2016“What is Financial Peace University? We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you’ve dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! FPU classes meet for around an hour and a half each week for nine weeks.” Questions? Please contact Mike Clymer at MClymer@rainingrose.com.

The Faith Community’s Response to Domestic ViolenceIt is time to address this important issue. It does impact our congregations. You will receive training on how to recognize abuse and how to help those involved. Join us Thursday, March 3 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Registration starts at 9:00 am, with program from 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Fee: $15 per individual or $10 each for two or more from one church. Clergy and laity are both encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity to do ministry together. Facilitators have been trained by FaithTrust Institute & United Methodist Women. Please send registrations to Lynn Calvert: lyksmc@aol.com, mail to 719 - 10th Avenue, Coraville, IA 52241, or call 319.541.8367.

Thrift Mart is coming, Tuesday, April 12, Wednesday, April 13Time to clean out and bring unneeded items to 3rd Ave. circle drive at St. Pauls UMC on Saturday and Monday mornings,. 8:30-10:30 am. We probably will not be able to have a fall thrift mart this year.Help support this mission project of United Methodist Women and the whole church. It is a win win project for missions, neighborhood, and our own homes. Help is needed on Monday sorting days to organize the donations into departments. Please join us for this worthwhile project.

Donation Drop-Off Dates: 8:30-10:30 amSaturdays: February 27, March 5, 12, 19, & April 2, Mondays: February 29, March 7, 14, 21, & April 4

Wednesday night drop off: 5:30-7:30 pmMarch 9,16, 30

Sorting dates: Monday, February 29, March 7, 14, 21, & April 4.

Move out date: Sunday, April 10, 1:00 pm

Set up: Monday, April 11, 8:30 am

Sale: Tuesday, April 12 & Wednesday, April 13

Compass Class Country BreakfastOn Sunday, February 28, 8:30 am-12:15 pm in the Wesley Center. Eggs and ham, French toast, pastries, fried potatoes, applesauce and beverages will be served. Proceeds will go to: PDO, Youth Mission Trips, SPRINT and African Nationals Transportation Fund. Everyone is welcome! 10:30 am worship will be held in the Chapel. 11:30 am worship will be in the Wesley Center.

Sanctuary Technology UpdateWe are excited to announce we will have new screens in the sanctuary starting on February 28. Be aware that the installation process will take a few weeks to complete, so things will look a bit different for a couple Sundays. Thank you for your patience through the installation.

St. Paul’s is Moving Forward in Faith

Rejoice! We are moving forward with Phase 1 of our building project. Following are some of the activities currently underway.

Utility Work in the Alley/North Parking Lot

No doubt you’ve seen trucks and workers, and have encountered detours during the past couple of weeks. We’re doing away with the overhead wires – going underground – to provide clearance for the canopy at our new covered entrance. Our new electrical service will provide increased electrical capacity – we’ve been at our limit for years and needed this even without our planned facilities renovation.

Watch for the lowering of the leaning power pole, probably sometime in May!

Children’s Library on the Move The children’s library space is needed by the end of March for the new electrical service entry. The rest of the current library will be impacted by the construction of new 2nd Avenue entry and related multistory welcoming space between the Sullivan Building and the current education wing.

Early Childhood Update

Per the general contractor, early childhood weekday programs can not occupy the education wing during construction. For the 2016-1017 school year, current plans are for FOCUS to be housed at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and for PDO to be housed at First Lutheran Church.

Rooms 318, 320, 322, and 324

(along the Sanctuary wall) will be cleared out and reconditioned for classroom/meeting space.

Perspective

When St. Paul’s intergenerational mission team was in Mississippi following hurricane Katrina, the conditions there were often “chaotic,” or “challenging.” A wise ‘local’ individual provided valuable perspective when he said, “blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape.” As is evident from the information above, we’ll all need to share, adapt, and be flexible for the next 20+ months and beyond as St. Paul’s prepares for 21st century ministry.

Rejoice!

Together we continue our journey Forward in Faith! John & Lois Mather

Bridge Team Leaders

Joshua 24:15bCommentsfromGarr HintzChurch Business Administrator

Financial

Due to the transition in staff I am taking the liberty, at least for this month’s Outlook, to combine my comments with the Treasurer’s Report looking at activities involving the Ministry of Finance and Board of Trustees. As I get my feet under me a little better, I anticipate reinitiating the various graphs and expanded financial information you look for in this report. Significant progress has been made through this transition and the development of a new routine is underway with enhanced efficiencies to follow.

Ministry of FinanceThe books are closed on 2015 for the most part. We continue to work through some issues with the Giving Statements when we receive inquiries. So, if you have some questions on your Giving Statement, please feel free to contact the office and either Shelby Roth or I will field your questions and work to resolve them. 2015 Financials – St. Paul’s closed out 2015 showing a deficit on operations of $149,092.28. This was a little worse than what was budgeted. With the Christmas offering and other gifts designated

specifically for apportionments, the balance left on 2015 apportionments is right around $150,000, up from the balance on 2014 apportionments at $51,000. 2016 Forecasts - As noted in eblasts and articles in previous Outlooks, St. Paul’s is taking steps to mitigate the differences between offerings and expenses and have had to do so with planned staff reductions in three different areas. Those reductions have been incorporated into the budget for 2016 but that still shows an anticipated deficit of $132,044. Staff is working through the transition process well, in my opinion and your ongoing grace and patience will be a blessing to us through this transition.

Board of TrusteesThere are many activities going on related to the stewardship of St. Paul’s facilities as overseen by the Trustees. Servers - New computer server equipment has been purchased and installed to replace the old servers that well exceeded anticipated life. Knowing that all mechanical equipment, old or new, can fail

at any time, it was good to get the old servers that had been in place for numerous years out and new systems in place. Sanctuary Mission Control – This technology and equipment that has been in use was around 20 years old and repairs were becoming increasingly more difficult. This project will be completed in the next 60 days and will enhance the worship service through the ministry provided by these generous technicians who sit up in the balcony Sunday to Sunday. Building Project - As mentioned in other areas in Outlook, work has begun on the utilities relocation aspect of the Building Project. Within the next few months you can expect to see the removal of the electric pole that is leaning in the alley, and pad mount transformers and switchgear will be installed. The electric service into the building will be upgraded; something that needed to be done even if the Building Project wasn’t a reality. Thank you for your willingness to adapt as space becomes a more precious commodity at St. Paul’s.

In His Service, GarrPage

10

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Family Promise: Joyful Noises 2015: Family Promise had a year of good intentions and we were able to serve 40 individuals and get them into sustainable housing. Unfortunately, we had to stop taking new families in July, and suspend our operations completely by August. With the help and guidance of the national Family Promise employees and volunteers, we are laying the foundation for a successful future serving homeless families in Linn County.

2016: We are off to a great start and beginning to receive steady financial support from individuals, businesses, grants and our congregations. We have over a hundred volunteers waiting to provide hospitality to children and their families. Please plan to join us for our fundraisers, Trivia Night at Echo Hill Presbyterian, February 20 at 6:30 pm, Joyful Noises on April 22 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and the Family Promise Golf Outing (tentatively August 2) at Hunter’s Ridge. THANK YOU for your continued support, involvement, thoughts and prayers. Family Promise will re-open in 2016!

Page

4

Financial

Page

11

Christmas Mission Offerings - $10,661.41 was the final total on Christmas offerings for conference apportionments. Conference apportionments are our first mission responsibility. As a match to this, Sending to Serve requested undesignated St Paul’s UMC Foundation Funds for “Global Refugee/Migration” Advance #3022144 to contribute to the efforts of Global Ministries of the UMC and UMCOR’s efforts to provide aid to refugees throughout the world.

Helping Hands Ministry - $943.40 was received in support. This is our PRIMARY resource for helping people with rent and utilities assistance. It is a faith-based ecumenical ministry and needs our support. They are actively assisting people of Linn County who have limited material resources with emergency financial support as well as supportive services and advocacy throughout the world.

Human Relations Day - $427.00 This Sunday before the observation of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday supports Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Service and Youth Offender Rehabilitation programs. “The primary focus is to help kids see Jesus and to help them grow developmentally and spiritually,” says one of the community developers who directs one of these programs.

Special Mission Offerings in the Near Future March 6 – One Great Hour of Sharing/Christian : Join United Methodists everywhere by participating in this special offering that supports UMCOR’s vital work. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing lay the foundation for UMCOR to seek justice and mercy for suffering people everywhere.

March 27 – Easter Offering : The Easter Offering is applied to apportionments. This year’s match will go to ‘Change a Child’s Story’ – Bishop Trimble’s initiative. For more information on this go to www.iaumc.org and click on the ‘Change a Child’s Story’ link. (see page 5)

Sending to ServeMissions and Ministry Special Offerings

Thank you for these recent Special Mission Offerings: