FROM THE SUMMER 2010 ISSUE OF THE VOICE
CONFIRMING OUR COVENANT
The summer began in a big way as we celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism, the Rite of Confirmation, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
We began with J.T. Fiala being baptized into the Christian faith. Baptism was given to us as a sign of our covenant with God. Saint Paul writes, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
Then we welcomed J.T. and Allison Krieder into full church membership via Confirmation. This ceremony is one of the most important rites we celebrate in the Reformed family. It signals that a person is confirming that he or she has, indeed, felt the call of the Holy Spirit to be an active participant in Christ’s church, confirming the faith expressed at the person’s baptism, and joining in covenant with the congregation and with all Christians.
Finally, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper, with the confirmands’ parents serving J.T. and Allison. Communion is a time to remember Jesus’ sublime gift of forgiveness and eternal life for all who follow Him, and a time to be nourished and renewed by His Spirit in our midst.
INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAM FOR YOU
In most churches, when they say that vacation Bible school is family-oriented, it means that they have classes for kids and classes for adults. Not St. Paul’s! For a second straight year, we designed our program for children, youth, young adults, middle agers, and seniors to explore and celebrate the Good News together. Join us for “Summer Stories with Jesus” as we wrap up this Thursday, July 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We'll share a tasty potluck supper, review the beautiful parables of Jesus we studied the past three Thursdays, enjoy games and fellowship, and do something special together to help feed our hungry neighbors in need! Join us this Thursday … and be sure to bring a friend or two!!
JOIN US FOR ICE CREAM
We’ll be back at Bruster’s Ice Cream on Wednesday, August 18 … and you and your family and friends are invited! We get a percentage of all sales while we’re working (7 – 9 p.m.), plus tips. Make a difference in the life of St. Paul’s and have fun doing it!
Congratulations to Amanda Stull and Joseph (Sonny) Miller,
who were married at St. Paul’s on Saturday, May 22.
They hosted a reception for the whole church on May 30.
Thank you and God bless you!
YOU CAN STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH
Over the last several months, you’ve contributed and we’ve presented checks for significant amounts of money to various ministries with which we’re affiliated: St. Paul Homes, the Community Food Warehouse, and more. Most recently, we gave (via our Lenten giving calendars) $825 to Ark House homeless shelter for women.
Now we need to help ourselves. Earlier this summer, we needed to “borrow” money from our Endowment earnings to replenish the church’s checking account.
In the Narthex, you’ll find Strengthen the Church giving envelopes. Please contribute whatever you can – anything from an extra offering (i.e., if your usual offering on the first Sunday of the month will be $50, give an “extra” $50 in the special envelope) on up to $7,000!
St. Paul’s mission is to minister, in Jesus’ name, to our world, our community, and one another. You’ve been very generous in helping us reach our world and our community. Now we need your help to continue our ministry to our church family. Please give with a cheerful heart.
THANK YOU! to those who helped in the church office when we were without a secretary: “Office Managers” Pastor Dave, Shirley Gibson, and Bob Lambrecht, and “Daily Workers” Betty Bennett, Betty Boyer, Joan Brant, and Linda Behary. Your helpfulness is appreciated!
SUMMER WORSHIP LEADERS
Acolytes: July 25 – Adam Krieder, August 1 – Nate Willey, August 8 – Allison Krieder, August 15 – J.T. Fiala, August 22 – Adam Krieder, August 29 – Nate Willey.
Altar Guild: July – Sherry Funk and Marlyn Choffel, August – Linda Behary and Mary Holzshu.
Communion Servers: August – Sally Marrie, Ron Wolf, Karen Graham, Werner Specht.
Greeters: July 25 – Frank & Adam Krieder. August 1 – Rick & Sandy Fiala, August 8 – George & Shirley Gibson, August 15 – Richard & Betty Bennett, August 22 – David Hall and Mark Rainier, August 29 – Mary Holzshu and Donna Lang.
Lay Readers: July 25 – Joan Brant, August 1 – Ralph Fisher, August 8 – Betty Boyer, August 15 – Robin Black, August 22 – Shirley Gibson, August 29 – Betty Bennett.
Nursery Caregivers: July 25 – Sally Marrie, August 1 – Betty Bennett, August 8 – Linda Behary, August 15 – Cathy Wherry, August 22 – Sandy Fiala, August 29 – Sally Marrie.
Ushers: July 25 – Frank & Adam Krieder, Jake Yudt, Ron Wolf. August ushers will be from the Friendship Circle; please check the bulletin.
