Midweek Memo 22 October 2014 final

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ST. PAUL’S
MIDWEEK
November 26, 2014
Church Office closed THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 & FRIDAY, November 28.
There will be no Friday e-blast.
MOT Community
Thanksgiving Eve
Service
TONIGHT
NOVEMBER 26
at 7 PM, St. Paul’s
Sanctuary
WEEKLY GATHERINGS
Office Hours 10:30 AM – 2 PM Monday thru Friday
Program Staff Meeting 2nd and 4th Mondays at 4:30 PM
Seeking Serenity 12 Step Meeting Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
Tuesdays Chancel Choir 6:45 PM
Tuesdays Men’s Vocal Ensemble 8-8:30 PM
TOPS Meeting Wednesday 6 PM
Bell Choir Thursdays 6:30 PM
 AA Meeting Saturdays at 7 PM
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UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
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TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7 PM
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 SPRC at 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam Bible Study
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at 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 Worship Arts Team Meeting at 7 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 Christmas in Odessa Spaghetti Dinner 3–7 PM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 M & M Christmas Party (Pot Luck)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Vote on Trustees following 11 AM Worship
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Eve Services 5 PM Family Service and 7 PM
Christmas Cantata [Please note that there is NO 11 PM service this year]
Sunday, November 30
First Sunday of Advent
Worship at 8:30 & 11 AM
IF ONLY WE HAD A SHEPHERD WHO would
defend us from our enemies…
What if we did?
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Yellow Hat Offering goes to Local Mission
NURSERY at both services
Worship Coordinator
Ushers:
June Stemmle
Liturgist:
Jan Corby
Greeters:
Ann Raymond
Com. Set-up:
Kathy Chas
Choir Communion Servers
Com. Servers:
Carole Harmon
Acolyte:
Lynn Guise
Flowers:
Janet Rowley
Children’s Celebration
8:30 AM
11 AM
Paul Loder
June Stemmle
Megan Reitzes
Lynda Whitehead
Nancy Weldin
Cathy Blanco
2 Chalices 1 loaf + plate of
non-gluten
Ally & Mike Kennedy
3 Chalices 1 loaf + plate of nongluten
Dick Leuliette & Janet Miller
Barbara Lynn Manlove &
Kenzel Messick
Caroline Rodriguez
Zach, Josh, Nick Pompeo in honor of their mother’s birthday.
Pastor Karin
Word in Song:
Elizabeth Musch
Fellowship:
Jackie Connell
Counters:
G. Guessford
Pastor Karin
Helen George, Karen Douty, Daphne Martin, Linda Vest, Alicia
Collins, Marilyn Jones, Jenn Ford
Marcia Wheeler & Ginny Guessford
CHRISTMAS IN ODESSA
IT’S THE UN-CHICKEN
DINNER!
Please promote this
dinner with your
friends & community!
WE NEED MUSIC!!!
Here is the perfect place to
showcase your talent!
Contact Elizabeth Musch if you
can play or sing or dance….
Proceeds for the dinner will go
towards mission giving!
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The menu will include
 Spaghetti with a choice of sauces
 Dessert and
 Salad
 Beverage
 Garlic bread
$10 for Adults and $5 for kids, Families of 6 & more only $30
SIGN UP THIS SUNDAY for an hour or two or three! We will need shoppers, prep folks, chefs,
decorators, servers and cleaner-uppers! And maybe some singers! Something for everyone! This
is an opportunity to get the whole family involved, your Sunday School class involved!
My family in Christ,
First, thank you for your prayers for
my safe travel—they were heard!
Arrived safely in Bentonville and the
pugs and I are enjoying our brief time
here. I really don’t mind the drive
because it’s always a time to reflect
upon so much—upon my own path
and journey to this point, a time to
observe and relish the landscape, a
time to savor a good night’s sleep. It’s
a time to regroup with some of my
long-time friends…and a time to be
grateful for their friendship through
thick and thin. And the journey offers
time to reflect upon the difficult events
in Ferguson, Missouri.
Keeping peace, forging reconciliation,
advocating for justice—these are all
biblical themes that are difficult to
accomplish without God’s grace and
mercy. In our own families and with
our friends and people “like us” all of
these are difficult; but where there are
other barriers, keeping peace, forging
reconciliation and advocating justice
are just plain gut-wrenching. If only we
had a shepherd who….
Maybe we do! Make the commitment to be with us all of Advent! Love and blessings,
Pastor Karin
WORSHIP ARTS TEAM INFO AND MEETING
We will be meeting, Wednesday, December 3 at 7 PM to finalize the rest of Advent and
beyond.
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MUSIC NOTES
 The choir will present An Appalachian Christmas at the 7 PM service
on Christmas Eve. If you would like to join the choir for this music
offering, please contact Elizabeth Musch or talk to a choir member.
We will be rehearsing Cantata music at the end of our normal
rehearsal time, from 7:20 to 8 PM, every Tuesday. All singers are
welcome!
 Bell Choir will NOT be rehearsing on Thanksgiving, November 27.
 Do you have a musical instrument lying around at home, collecting
dust? Bring it in to church and donate it to someone who would love to
have it, either in our congregation or at a local school. See
Elizabeth Musch if you have an instrument to donate.
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Thanksgiving Day Parade – Watch for our youth!
Two of our St. Paul’s youth will be participating in the Channel 6 ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade
which is televised on Thanksgiving morning. The Middletown High School and Appoquinimink
High School marching bands will be combining into one band for the parade. Be on the lookout for
Sarah Pulling in the color guard and Lauren Haberstroh with cymbals.
ADVENT SERIES FOR ADULT STUDIES BEGINS THIS SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 30 at 9:45 AM
IF ONLY we knew our bible better…
WHAT IF WE ACTUALLY READ IT?
We often lament that we don’t know scripture well enough but
the reality is that we often complain without opening the
book…We will be examining the lectionary texts for ADVENT
over the next 4 weeks…this will leverage a lively discussion
that will inform your worship life as well. We begin with the
Hebrew Prophecy—the Hebrew Covenant or Old Testament—
and will read from Isaiah this Sunday. PLEASE BRING YOUR
BIBLES!
COMING JANUARY 2015 COVENANT BIBLE STUDY
BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 at 7 PM Sign Up NOW!
This Covenant experience will guide participants in a comprehensive, in-depth
study of the Bible over twenty-four weeks. Unlike the learning participants may
have experienced in other groups, this in-depth study of the whole Bible
emphasizes the biblical concept of covenant as a unifying pattern through all the
books in the Old and New Testaments. It underscores the unique relationship
that God chooses to have with us as God’s people. This relationship is grounded
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in the faithfulness of God’s love and on our ongoing commitment to stay in love with God while we
share signs of that love with others.
OPPORTUNITIES ON LEADERSHIP TEAM
Many of you have already been invited to serve a call on Leadership Team for our church. We are
excited that so many of you have accepted that call upon your lives and are striving to be
disciples. We have opportunities for those who feel a call and passion in the areas of
Membership Team Leader and also Liturgist Coordinator. Pastor Karin has the job
description for both of these positions and invites you to consider these areas of service. Please
contact her if you want to know more!
FAMILY LIFE DEPARTMENT UPDATES from Vicki Spence
St. Paul’s Families are Preparing!!!
 Join us in Sunday School during Advent and work with your teachers
and friends in preparing for the coming of Christmas. We will have songs
and crafts, devotions and missions to complete over the next weeks of
Advent as we ready our homes and hearts for the birth of Jesus. Don’t
forget to pull out your Shepherd’s Pouch and hang it where your
stocking normally hangs. Talk with your family about filling your Pouch with coins when you
complete Acts of compassion. Bring your collection in on Christmas Eve and hang your
stocking. We will combine our money to purchase birds, animals and bees for families in
need through Heifer International.
 Also, don’t forget to pull out one Act of compassion from your Advent jar and complete it (or
another one or two that you come up with instead) to help you count down the days until
Christmas.
 Family Devotions around the traditional
symbols of Christmas can be used during this
time as well. Don’t forget to pick up your
family’s copy of POCKETS to help with
devotions throughout this season.
 Two Advent Calendars, one for younger
children and one for older children and youth
are available for you to take this Sunday in the
Narthex. A great tool to help prepare and count
down to that special day!!
 St. Paul’s Youth who attended last year
and/or expressed an interest were
preregistered for the Youth Rally in January.
If you have not made your payment for
registration please check with our
Administrative Assistant in the office to be sure
you are paid up. We will be making room
reservations this week so it is important that
we get a final count of who is attending. All of
those we were able to register early will
receive free T-shirts. It’s too late for the T-shirt
deal, but not too late to sign up!!!
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 We are in need of adult chaperones for the Youth Rally. Please contact Vicki Spence if
you are able to attend as a chaperone. It is exciting that we have so many youth who enjoy
attending this Rally each year. Please consider serving and supporting our youth as a
chaperone. Guaranteed laughter and a great time and perhaps an eye roll or two thrown
in!!
 We are still collecting empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls the next two weeks. There is a
basket in the Narthex to collect them. Thanks for your help!!
Have a blessed and grateful Thanksgiving!
CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE:
 Please bring in potatoes for food baskets!
 Confirmands are expected to sign up to help with the Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday,
December 6
 Regular Meetings on Sundays, December 7 and 21 from 4-6 PM. We need a parent to be
present at each of these Sundays.
KUDOS TO:
 Vicki Spence & Paul Loder for taking on extra responsibilities in Pastor
Karin’s absence
 Nancy Halloran for facilitating Adult Studies in Pastor Karin’s absence
 Rev. Ryan Scott and laity for tremendous worship this past Sunday
 Vicki Spence, Jan Corby & Lynda Whitehead for helping to “set the
stage” for worship!
 Alpaca Signs who always get us signs and banners in record time and
help us with our logo—thanks Kristi & Rob!
 Rob Collins & Keith Whitmer who have offered lots of advice and help
for the Spaghetti Dinner!
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 Paul Loder & Jan Corby for their “babysitting” for Pastor Karin these
past two weeks
 Jennifer & Caroline Rodriguez for getting Pastor Karin some books on
tape for her trip from the library
PRAYER LIST
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 [email protected]. Submitting a Prayer
Request is the best and most assured way that your request will be
added to the mid-week and worship folder. Also 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.
RECENTLY ADDED: Jean Keene, Ruth Hudson
CONTINUED PRAYER
Corbit Collins
Celeste Cox
Walter Hagelstein
Thurston Campbell
Leveta Tunnell
Harold Alston
Charlotte Atkinson
Bryan Harrison
Michael Conley
Jim Argoe
Gay Owens
Tony & Jeremy Smith
Billy Bush
Penny H.
Cathy Blanco
Margaret Reid
Jake Kennedy
Mary Ann M
Meghan Parker
Elizabeth
Althea Johnston
Kevin Doyle
Spence
Lee Higgins
David Loder
Jimmy Herring
Ed Downes
Thomas Herring III
Jan Stern
John Daisy
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Painter Sr.
Sarah & Bruce Leiman
Jessie
JoAnn Sheehan
Glady Judd
Bill Glass
Mark Johnson
Jeff Glass
Sheridan Outten
Maggie McCombs
Dwayne (Turk) Turek
Emerson Marie Clarity &
mother Laura
Tara Murphy
Dot Coleman
Cliff & Jan Angel
Terri
Lauren & Kevin Kable
Pam Dey
Parker Moore
Wyatt Joseph
Karen & Floyd Wood
Janet Rowley
West Africa Ebola outbreak
Carolyn Stanley
Roger Connell
Linda Loder
Susanne
Chris
The O’Neill/Ball Family
Bette MacWilliams
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
November
November
26
27
Diane Shoun
Robert Willis
Charlotte Atkinson
November
November
29
30
Joe Dombroski
Heidi Allen
Anne Bruce
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December
December
1
2
Marilyn Foster
Carol Pearl
Sibyl Pompeo
Konark Christian
Sherrill Hatton
Ryan Scott
Harvey Smith
Jeanne Hatton
Lorrain Swain
Jeffrey Wills
December
December
December
3
4
5
December
7
December
December
December
8
9
10
Carlos Munar
Richard Pulling
Patricia Bower
Caroline Perry
Jordan Hitch
Morgan Wallace
Terri Willis
Ryan Whitmer
Casey Blum
Whitney Pulling
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
November
November
26
28
Bob & Jackie Connell
Joy & Sandra Jani
David & Cyndi Koski
December
December
3
4
John & Melanie Stinson
Robert & Kathy Gravell
Megan & Josh Reitzes
ADOPT-A-FAMILY SIGN-UPS
CONTINUE THIS SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 30
We’ve already had a tremendous response to
our annual Adopt-a-Family for Christmas
opportunity! You and your family can make
another family’s Christmas merrier—there are
still lots of blessing to be done!! Stop by after
either service this Sunday to sign up!
NOVEMBER’S MISSION FOCUS
IS FOOD! LET’S DO THE
MASHED POTATO
We’ve only need a few more boxes!
Traditionally we have collected boxes of
mashed potatoes for food baskets at the
holidays for the MOT community! We have
always collected 100 boxes—but what if we upped it to 125 this year! On your mark, get
set, GO for the Mashed Potatoes!
60 TON FOOD CHALLENGE
We continue in the 60 ton food challenge by hosting a food drive to benefit Sunday
Breakfast Mission. We are collecting non-perishable food items to help those in need.
This drive will end December 15. A labeled box will be in the narthex with flyers
attached. If you have any questions please contact Dawn Buckworth at
[email protected].
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SILVER LAKE MENTORS
Do you want to make a difference in the life of a child? Consider becoming a mentor at
Silver Lake Elementary School! Please let Jenn Ford know ASAP if you are interested!
If need more information please contact Jenn Ford and Dawn Buckworth at
[email protected] and [email protected].
GIVING TUESDAY
On December 2, you can extend
the spirit of giving thanks into the Advent season by
participating in UMC #GivingTuesday. Every gift made online
through The Advance at www.umcmission.org/give on Dec. 2
will be matched up to $1 million.*
*Global Ministries will allocate the matching funds dollar for
dollar up to the first $1 million in gifts to Advance projects
received online on Dec. 2 between 12 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.
EST.
A maximum of $2,500 per individual gift to a project will be
dispersed as matching funds. A project may receive a
maximum of $25,000 in matching funds.
Last year on UMC #GivingTuesday, United Methodists collectively raised a record $6.5
million on line in through The Advance. 11,000 individuals and churches in 34 countries
gave more than 16,300 gifts to mission and ministries they believe in. It was a wonderful
sign of commitment and extravagant generosity, maximizing the impact of thousands of
United Methodists coming together on one day to transform the world.
UMC #GivingTuesday is part of an international movement to extend the spirit of giving
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thanks into the Advent season. It offers an opportunity to start off the holiday season by
giving instead of getting by supporting organizations that are transforming the world.
Visit www.umcmission.org/give to search for Advance projects and give.
Look up projects for Nicaragua or a special interest or area for your family to give to!
SALVATION ARMY RINGERS
Ringing for the Salvation Army is taking place until
December 24th at several locations around the Middletown
area. For those who have an hour or two to spare, please
contact either me or Dave for more information. Jim Young
is directing the local effort and he can be reached at 302373-8200. We can help fill the red buckets and show how
much St. Paul's cares about serving those in need during
what can be a difficult time of the year.
FOR CONGREGANTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Did you know that Holy Communion is available for those who are homebound? Please
let the office know and we will be happy to arrange a visit to anyone who wishes Holy
Communion! Large print worship folders are also available upon request. Did you also
know that we now have seating for those with disabilities, hand railing to the chancel
area and large-print worship folders which can be available each Sunday? These are
part of our ongoing efforts to include everyone in our worship and ministry events. Let
the office know if you or a friend or family member has a special need.
PRAYERS FOR THE NICA TEAM!
Each year something always challenges the Nica team! This year our costs are soaring
and we will have some luggage issues as well. Our largest team ever of 19 folks also
creates logistical challenges so please please support us with your prayers that we
might find ways when there seem to be no ways! Please pray that we might find the
most expedient and effective ways to handle these challenges so that we can represent
and model Christ on behalf of this congregation.
LIGHTWEIGHT COTTON FABRIC NEEDED FOR NICA
DRESSES
For the last several years we have made dresses and short outfits to take to Nicaragua.
If you have lightweight cotton fabrics suitable for these please bring to church. We
will be scheduling another “cutting day” and “sewing day” to get us started! We have
patterns for the outfits and look forward to this wonderful time of giving and fellowship!
TEE SHIRT DRESSES
Think about making one of these cute dresses for our Nica families!
https://sites.google.com/site/thismamamakesstuff/tshirt_dress.jpg
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MOSAIC ART BOOK ORDERS AT ST. PAUL’S
As many of you know we partner with MOSAIC, an organization that
supports adults with intellectual disabilities to have productive and selfdetermined lives. This year MOSAIC has produced an art book, Mosaic's
Natural Art Book which was created by a committee of individuals and staff
at the direction of Sherita Sparrow. These are selling for $15.25 per book
and make a great gift while supporting this outstanding faith-based
organization. A sample of the book, colored fliers and a sign-up sheet will be available
for the next few Sundays so that you can order before Christmas.
GENTLE OFFICE REMINDERS

PLEASE ANNOUNCE YOUR PRESENCE AS YOU ENTER
THE CHURCH DURING THE WEEK.

Church members: this is primarily for outside groups so that we have parking
space in the back for church business and events: Please do not park in the
back parking lot. If you are meeting at the church during the week, off street parking
is available for your use. Please do not park parallel to the sidewalks.
 Building Ministry & Church Calendar – If your group is meeting at the church
during the week 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.
 NO NUTS POLICY—remember that we do NOT provide any refreshments or
foodstuffs with any nut products.
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