T e M ss ng r - St Paul Lutheran Church

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SARASOTA
& Early Childhood Learning Center
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SEPTEMBER
2016
From Bishop Robert Schaefer...
Harvest Festival update
Congregation Council news
Scene-it @ VBS
Adopt A Fallen - 9/11 commemoration
The DreamLeaders Initiative weekend
will be held at St. Paul October 21-23!
Witnessing • Sharing • Encouraging • Serving
T e M ss ng r
(dreaming some dreams), and challenge (identifying the obstacles). Time
TBD. Lunch will be provided.
St. Paul will be hosting a DreamLeaders Initiative weekend, Friday, October 21 to Sunday,
October 23.
A DreamLeaders weekend is designed to
encourage, inspire, and challenge us to pursue
God-sized dreams for our future that will allow
us to have greater Kingdom impact in our
neighborhood and city.
The Initiative is an outreach of Spirit of Joy
Lutheran Church in Orlando for the sake of renewal in the wider church. It will be led by their
founding pastor, Jeff Linman. The weekend is
sponsored through the Florida-Bahamas Synod
and is being offered as a gift to the people of
St. Paul by our Synod’s Together in Mission
Campaign.
The weekend contains three components:
A Friday evening time of conversation with
Council leaders and Pastor Jeff to help
him get to know St. Paul better and
build some momentum for the rest of
the weekend.
A Saturday workshop for congregational
leaders and ALL St. Paul members
interested in dreaming together about
our future. The day will include Biblically based elements of encouragement
(naming our fears), inspiration
A Sunday worship experience called
"Created to Dream" that will engage the
entire congregation in the journey and
bring everyone on-board. Pastor Jeff
will preach at both services and will
host an adult forum during the education hour where the story of Spirit of
Joy in Orlando is shared as a witness
to what God did in one congregation
when leaders and members aligned in
pursuit of God-sized visions and
dreams. That same God is at work in
the midst of every congregation and
eager to empower Kingdom impacting
dreams! Pastor Jeff will also lead a
brief Q&A for anyone interested in further conversation after the 10:30 am
service for those who were not able to
attend the earlier forum.
Ephesians 3:20 teaches us that by the power
at work within us, God is able to accomplish
abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine...or dream! Because attitude impacts outcome, inspiring renewed faith and hope is a key
step in any congregational renewal effort seeking increased Kingdom impact. To learn more
about the DreamLeaders Initiative and do some
dreaming about the future at St. Paul, plan to
join us the weekend of October 21-23. For
further information visit
www.BeDreamLeaders.com.
You don’t want to
miss this!
Page 2
THE MESSENGER
FROM BISHOP ROBERT SCHAEFER...
Report about the Churchwide Assembly
in New Orleans!
Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,
“Freed and Renewed in Christ” was
the theme of the triennial Churchwide
Assembly of the ELCA in New Orleans
from August 8-13. While there were
about 950 voting members in attendance, with 16 from the Florida-Bahamas
Synod (along with another 15 of our
people who attended the Grace Gathering which ran concurrently), I wish you
could have all been there to see what
an amazing church is ours.
A churchwide assembly centers daily
on a midday gathering around the Liturgy of Holy Communion. With
about 1500 gathered each day,
these services of word and
sacrament were centered in
great preaching and magnificent and diverse music and
liturgy. This was the source
and summit of all our other activity which included legislative
action, reports from churchwide
officers and units, updates on
ministries, workshops, Bible
study, fellowship and more.
Our presiding bishop, Elizabeth
Eaton, said in her report, "I hope you all
go home and tell your congregations
that this church is not dying, it is changing.” That is the message that I bring
back to the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
God’s work is being done with our
hands throughout this church. God is
doing some amazing new things among
us as witnessed to by the following actions of the assembly:
• Overwhelmingly affirmed the
“Declaration on the Way,” a document
noting 32 principles of agreement between Roman Catholics and Lutherans
as the result of 50 years of ecumenical
dialog. The document is commended as
a study resource for the observance of
the 500th anniversary of the Reformation as Catholics and Lutherans continue to strive to heal the breach of the
16th century and move toward sharing
the Lord’s Supper and ministry.
• Adopted AMMPARO (Accompanying
Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities),
a holistic, churchwide strategy addressing the complex issue of minors fleeing
violence in Guatemala, Honduras and
El Salvador.
• Elected our own William B. “Bill”
Horne II of Clearwater to a six-year
term as vice president of the ELCA.
• Adopted strategies toward
greater diversity within the
ELCA (whose minority members represent only 6 percent of
its membership) through intentional outreach and raising
awareness of both overt and
subtle racism in the U.S.
• Adopted annual budgets for
the next three years of approximately $64 million annually for
ELCA ministries and $25 million
for World Hunger.
• Affirmed efforts to support veterans
and their families, military chaplains and
all affected by war.
• Adopted strategies for positive investment aimed at supporting peace in
Israel and Palestine and reduced energy usage and reliance on fossil fuels.
I return from New Orleans thankful to
be a part of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America and thankful to be
partners in the gospel with each of you!
Peace be yours,
Bishop Robert G. Schaefer
Florida-Bahamas Synod
The Messenger is the newsletter of St. Paul Lutheran
Church.
Mailing address:
2256 Bahia Vista St.,
Sarasota FL 34239-2499
Telephone: 941-955-6479 Fax: 941-955-8600
ECLC Preschool 941-955-6480
Email: [email protected]
Preschool email: [email protected]
Council email: [email protected]
Pastor email: [email protected]
Web site: www.StPaulSarasota.org
Editor: Debi Rado
St. Paul Lutheran Church is a member of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and
the Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA.
Interim Pastor: Reverend Sally Cook
Executive Committee
Judy Carnal, president
TBA, vice president
Sue Scherr, secretary
George Hutfilz, treasurer
Congregation Council
Judy Carnal, Missy Craig, Marilyn Hutfilz, John
McAuliffe, Marsha McKinney, Nancy Neff, Debi
Rado, Sue Scherr, Dave Spitler, Curt Swenson, Interim Pastor Sally Cook
Ministry Team Leaders
Sharing & Caring – Betty Smowton
Christian Education – Sue Scherr
Communications – Sharon Wittren
Early Childhood Learning Center – Pam Jorno
Evangelism – TBA
Fellowship – Judy Alberts, Nancy Neff
Finance – John McAuliffe
Food Pantry – George Hutfilz
Outreach Ministry
Fund – Curt Swenson, Cindy Schlotterback
Property – Dave Spitler
Social Ministry – Cindy Paxton
Stewardship – TBA
Worship and Music – Marilyn Hutfilz
Parish Administrator – Arleen Austin
The Messenger is published monthly and
distributed without charge to St. Paul Lutheran
congregation members and friends.
Copyright ©2016 St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Sarasota FL. Permission granted for reproduction of individual articles with credit to source.
ST. PAUL MISSION STATEMENT As a Holy Spirit-led family of God, we are called through Baptism to proclaim and bear witness to
God’s reconciling grace in Jesus Christ to all; so that by joyfully sharing God’s Word and encouraging each other to service for the sake of
others, our lives together make a difference for Christ and His kingdom.
Page 3
S E P T E M BE R 2 0 1 6
New date & time
Mark your calendars with the new date for our
State Fair themed fall festival: Sunday, October 2,
immediately following a combined worship service
at 10:00 am.
There will be so many fun things to do like
games and a hay ride, and of course lots of great
food!
Volunteers are needed so please contact Nancy
Neff at: [email protected] to help. Especially
someone to make phone calls.
Donations needed are: aluminum pie pans, cute
coffee mugs, children’s dinnerware, and plastic lids
from coffee cans.
Nancy also needs to borrow these items: EZ up
tents, gas grills, Corn hole game(s), and deep fryers.
Call Committee
A guide to submitting names
of potential pastoral candidates
Do you know a pastor you think would make a
good pastoral candidate for St. Paul? Do you feel
moved by the Holy Spirit to submit him/her for consideration? If so, the call committee would love to
hear from you! The following guidelines are important to follow in this process. Please read
them carefully.
1. All suggestions of names of pastors will be
retained by the call committee and given to the
bishop for consideration at the same time that the
completed Congregational Ministry Site Profile is
given to the bishop.
2. In addition to the name of the pastor, it is helpful to provide the pastor's current congregation or
address, if known, and a brief comment about why
this pastor is being recommended for consideration.
3. Absolutely NO CONTACT of pastors regarding
their possible interest in the position should be
made by members of the call committee, council,
or congregation. The bishop will give prayerful
consideration to all pastoral candidates suggested
by the congregation as well as other potential pastoral candidates.
4. It is the responsibility of the bishop and the
assistants to the bishop to prayerfully form a call
list usually consisting of the names of three pastors.
5. ONLY those candidates whose names are
placed on the Call List will be contacted by the Call
Committee.
2016 Back-to-School
Project Thank You!
We appreciate everyone for attending the 1st
Sunday Breakfast on August 7, benefitting the
Back-to-School Project! Thanks to your generous
donations, the St. Paul church family was able to
supply the teachers at Alta Vista Elementary with
much needed classroom supplies for the upcoming
school year. Dr. Barbara Shirley and her staff are
always so appreciative of the outpouring of help
from our congregation. What a wonderful way to
help our community and our church neighbors!
Thank you for all your shopping and your monetary
donations, which totaled over $700!
~ The Social Ministry Team
Cindy Paxton & Dr. Barbara Shirley
Page 4
Congregation Council news
It was with deep regret that council accepted the
resignation of President Michelle Moreno as she
will be moving on to the next exciting phase of
her life and career. Council members praised her
tireless work and deep faith on behalf of St. Paul
and wished her well. Michelle will be moving to
Illinois to pursue a dream job and will also be
near to her extended family members.
THE MESSENGER
A thank you note…
I wish to thank the St. Paul family and Pastor Sally
for your cards, calls, visits and most of all, your prayers during my recent confinement. Your caring and
concern have been greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Betty Paxton
The council elected Judy Carnal as president to
fulfill Michelle’s term. A new president will be
elected in December after the congregational
meeting.
Worship & Music ministry proposed and council
unanimously agreed that all future combined
worship services will be held at 10:00 am.
Communication Committee
Members moved
The following congregation members have moved
and would like to share their new addresses with
you in order to keep in contact with the St. Paul family:
Dave Olson
305 W. 5th Street
Hartford, SD 57033
Pete & Sharon Meyer
Landing of Farmington
111 Scott Swamp Road
Apt. 124
Farmington, CT 06032
The church office would like to add that if you have
a new address, phone number, or email address, to
please let them know.
A new communication tool
You probably have been seeing a new message
on the pre-worship service screens on Sunday. It
invites you to send a text message using your
smartphone to a special St. Paul number using the
words WELCOME or CONNECT.
This is a new tool to welcome new guests to our
church and to connect existing members to events
and news within the church using text messages
and email notices. Let us know if you have an issue
getting started and someone will be happy to help.
So, yes, we are asking you to use your
smartphone in church! But please remember to keep
it on mute. We hope you give it a try!
S E P T E M BE R 2 0 1 6
Page 5
Scene-it @
VBS
Cave building
Cave building
Spelunker Games
Youth leaders
Clark Cavern
Cavern Cafe
Page 6
THE MESSENGER
Messenger Bulletin Board
A place for St. Paul ministry teams and members to post brief church-related notices.
To submit items, call or drop off written information at the office, including how to contact you, or email to [email protected].
The deadline is the 15th of each month.
St. Paul Member Ads
A place for St. Paul members to promote their
business. These Ads are not
recommendations by St. Paul Lutheran
Church or its leadership. For info on
submitting an Ad, contact Sharon Wittren at
[email protected] or call 371.7535.
And the winner is!
Congregation member Clara Spitler won the 2016
Row by Row Quilt Contest at her Indiana quilting
store. The theme this year was Home Sweet
Home. When Clara returns in late September, ask
her what she won!
The team behind the Back-to-School fundraising
breakfast on August 7. Thanks Cindy, Marsha and
Ginger!
Page 7
SEPTEMBER 2016
ADOPT A FALLEN
at the Standing With Our Fallen
9/11 Fifteen Year Commemoration
On September 11, 2016 you are invited to Sarasota’s National Cemetery (9810 State Road 72, 34241) to stand for a fallen during the TOLLING OF THE BELL by Sarasota’s Fire Departments. In the days before
the Commemoration, everyone will be able to ADOPT A FALLEN by
going to http://bit.ly/29R65gP and choosing among the 2,977 names
engraved in bronze at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.
Beginning at 6:00 pm and concluding well before sunset, the memory
of those who died will be honored. Our first responders, active military
and veterans will be recognized, and a call for all Americans to the Unity of One Nation Under God will be summoned. Congressman Vern
Buchanan, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Venice Diocese, Sheriff
Thomas Knight, Police & Fire Chiefs, Mayors & Commissioners, Clergy, 100+ Community Chorus, Military Officers & Veterans are participating.
Sept 1 - Rhonda Holliday
Sept 3 - Sue Fisher
Sept 4 - John McAuliffe
Sept 6 - Emilee Miller
Sept 6 - Tamara Paolucci
Sept 7 - Charles Kistner **
Sept 7 - Mary Marshall **
Sept 8 - Tonia Miller
Sept 8 - Sharon Wittren
Sept 10 - Richard Olson
Sept 14 - Mel Schwartz
Sept 17 - James Luce
Sept 17 - Christine Danielewicz
Sept 20 - Joann Flanigan
Sept 22 - Lorraine Hughes
Sept 22 - Nicole Riley
Sept 22 - Barry Smith
Sept 23 - Tess Vaessen
Sept 23 - David Holliday
Sept 26 - Mark Weber
Sept 28 - Marcia Eckardt
Sept 29 - Eleanor Olson
** Homebound members
Sept 24 - Thad & Carolyn Masters
For the first 500 who arrive at the Commemoration, red and white and
blue flowers will be given them to be placed in a mesh that will eventually render our flag, Old Glory, in front of the stage. Those arriving before 6:20 pm may place a picture of their Adopted Fallen within the
flowers. Many sites on the internet such as "9-11 Victims-Photo Gallery
-SILive.com" can be helpful in locating information on our Adopted Fallen.
All are welcome to this free community commemoration. For more
information, please contact Reverend Dr. Tom Pfaff, President of the
Sarasota Ministerial Association, 941-724-5018, [email protected].
St. Paul Lutheran Church
& Early Childhood Learning Center
2256 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota FL 34239
Phone 941-955-6479 Fax 941-955-8600
Preschool 941-955-6480
E-mail [email protected]
Website www.StPaulSarasota.org
Rev. Sally Cook, Interim Pastor
Sunday Schedule
8:30 am Traditional Worship
10:30 am Contemporary Blended Worship
10:45 am Spark Sunday School (during Contemporary worship)
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