Thursday, January 30, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

Greetings!

Here’s a quote from Mister Rogers:“There is no normal life that is free frompain…There are many ways you can deal withpain without hurting yourself or others. Youcan pound a lump of clay, or swim as fast asyou can, or play the lowest keys on the pianoall at the same time.”

"Pain that is not transformed is transferred."says Father Richard Rohr. Another way to say it is "hurt people, hurt people."

In our small group conversation about the movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,we discussed how pain and anger are two sides of the same coin. We often, when askedhow we are doing, simply answer, “Fine.” Why do we do that? Can we let others knowthat we really are interested in how they are doing? Can we share our pain or fears withothers? Can we listen to others, in Christ?

The next time someone who really cares about you asks, “How are you?” assume theyreally want to know and share. Let’s do this together.

Grace & peace, Pastor Sherrie

Adults

Big Game Party -February 2All ages are welcome to join the St.Paul’s Youth Ministries for the 4thAnnual “Big Game” Party from 5:00 pm- end of game in the St. Paul’s YouthWing (Rooms 101-110) Bring a fooditem to share. The youth ministry willprovide drinks. Invite friends to comecheer with you or play games and chat!

Questions? Contact Becca Nims, Youth Ministry Director, rnims@stpaulsumc.org.

Thank YouOn behalf of all the children at St. Paul’sUMC we would like to thank the board oftrustees for the wonderful new carpet andtile in the upstairs classrooms. It makesstory time even better!

A Beautiful Day the NeighborhoodWorship and Small Group OpportunitiesThe next 4 weeks in worship contain themes that were portrayed in the movie, ABeautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and some of Mister Roger’s great wisdom. Cardigansweaters and tennis shoes especially welcome!

We’ll be offering small group opportunities for discussion and you are invited. Pleasecome to either of these small group gatherings for conversations and sharing. No need topre-register.

5 Sundays, 10:20-11:20 am, in the Library (or Sanctuary)5 Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00 pm in the Parlor

Parents! Do YouNeed a Night Out?The youth of St. Paul’s would like toprovide you with this opportunity! OnFebruary 7 from 6:00-9:00 pm we willbe hosting our 2nd annual parentsnight out fundraiser. Children will havea fun night that will consist of dinner,crafts and games, and a movie! Money

raised from this event will go towards the youth spring and summer mission tripopportunities. $20 per child or $40 per family (up to 4 children- $5 per additional child).To register please contact Becca Nims (rnims@stpaulsumc.org).

2020 MorningMeeting - February 88:45-11:45 am, Wesley CenterIf you are serving on any of ourcommittees or teams please be sure tomark your calendar for this event. Thisis also open to all members of St.Paul’s. It’s a good way to start the newcalendar year! Learn about a Unified

Board concept; Learn about L3 : Loving, Learning, and Leading; Hear updates for 2020.RSVP to Church Office (office@stpaulsumc.org) or 319-363-2058.

Intergenerational Mission Trip InformationalMeeting (Incoming 9th Graders-Adult)This summer those who will have recently completed 8th grade through adults will havean opportunity to join St. Paul’s on a mission trip to Missions, SD to work with Tree of LifeMissions, July 19th-25th. We will be holding another opportunity to learn more about thismission trip, with no expectation to decide at this meeting to go on the trip. Come learnmore and ask some questions. February 9th at 11:30 am in the Youth Room (Rm 110).Tree of Life Ministry is a part of the working hands and feet of God to the Lakota Nationresiding on the Rosebud Reservation, serving body, mind, and soul. We feed, cloth,shelter, and love. We demonstrate His love, power, and grace to a broken, hurtingsociety. More information can be found at : https://www.treeofliferelief.org/

Our BIG ServiceProject - February 9

Mark your calendars for Sundayafternoon, February 9 for the BigService Project. The location is theWesley Center from 4:00-6:00 pm. Wewill be making fleece blankets to bedistributed to the Mission of Hope forthose in need.

This is a family event that involvescutting and tying together two pieces

of fleece material to create a warm blanket.

What do I need to bring to the event?Two (2) pieces of fleece material that complement each other, 5’ (60”) x 7’ (84”).These can be obtained at local fabric stores.Sharp scissors that can cut fabricA desire to have fun and serve others!

We will supply cutting templates and instructions. Pizza and beverages will be providedafter the blankets are made. We hope to see you there!

Sending to Serve Committee

Sampler of Spirited LivingSession 2 of the Sampler of Spirited Living focused onways to increase our daily activity. While 150 minutesof moderate activity is recommended, just increasingthe minutes from the level where we are starting fromwas emphasized. A helpful hint for me was toschedule the time on my calendar making it less likelyI would push it off my plans for the day. Week 3 welearn about fruits and vegetables--yum. I am lookingforward to a dietitian's suggestions. Come join usWednesdays from 6:00-7:00 pm or Thursdays from11:00 am-12:00 pm. -- Mary Horn

Event Flyer

St. Paul's EarlyLearning CenterValentine's DayFundraiserParents, grandparents, and lovedones can send a special somethingto their favorite valentine!

They can select:

Balloon for $5Box of candy $5Stuffed animal $5Two for $1or all Three for $13!

Order forms can be turned into your child’s teacher or the main office. Orders will beavailable for pick up the week of February 10th-13th. Please include a space on the formfor the name and phone number of the person placing the order.

Order Form

Iowa Vision Day -February 15If you are interested in attendingwith a group from St. Paul’s,please contact Nancy AntonJensen(nantonjensen@gmail.com) fordetails and arrangements.

Register Today!

Can You Hear Me Now?Over the past few years, we’ve been blessed withgrants from the Armstrong’s trust to upgrade theaudio and video systems used in the sanctuary.It’s easy to use and certainly performs better thanbefore.

None of this works without volunteers! Theaudio and video team would like to add members

to our ranks. If you own a smart phone, you’re qualified! Give it some prayerfulconsideration about joining us. Contact one of the operators or Bob Lee,rclee2266@gmail.com.

March Open ChancelFlower DatesAvailable chancel flower dates are as follows: March 1, 8,15, 29. Please contact Mary Jane Overmann, at 319-396-5176, if you would like to have chancel flowers displayed inthe Sanctuary, in honor of a special person, date, or event.

Lost & FoundSt. Paul's UMC has collected many items leftthroughout the church over the past few months.These items are now in the Gathering Space bythe coat rack. If you are missing something,please stop by to claim it this Sunday.

Lenten Study 2020Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020, marks the beginning of theLenten Season. There will be opportunities to form small studygroups. The study we have selected comes with a leader’s guideand a DVD. If you would be interested in facilitating a small group(8-10 persons), please contact Karla Twedt-Ball(ktwedtball@gmail.com). If your Sunday School Class has chosenthis study for Sunday mornings, perhaps you might considerleading a small group during the week. Facilitators will determinethe time and locations for their small group.

The Walk by Adam HamiltonExamine five essential spiritual practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God.How do we walk with Christ—daily follow him, grow in him, and faithfully serve him?Discover five essential spiritual practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God. In eachchapter you will explore one of these practices—each of which is intended to be a part ofour daily walk with Christ—its New Testament foundation, and its potential effect on ourpersonal lives and our lives together as the church.

1. Worship and Prayer: A Living Hallelujah2. Study: The importance of listening and paying attention3. Serve: Here I am, Lord. Send me4. Give: Where Your Treasure is...5. Share: Going Fishing, Reflecting Light6. Five Practices From the Cross

Books will be available for $14.00

St. Paul’s focus for the next two years will be on Deepening our Faith by Practicing outFaith (Our Discipleship Pathway). This study will introduce several of these practices.

Visit our Facebook Page

African Nationals

Opening a Doorto FriendshipFor years, my connection with our AfricanNational members was limited to afriendly smile in the hall or a handshakewhile passing the peace. I longed toreach out in friendship, but simply didn’tknow where to start. Sound familiar?

It turns out there are lots of ways to takethat first step. On February 15, you have a chance to learn from others who’ve forgedmeaningful multicultural friendships here at St. Paul’s. Please join us for:

Faith Friends Training1:00-2:30 pm, Saturday, February 15

Wesley Center

This training is designed to provide a good foundation for reaching out to our AfricanNational friends and building authentic relationships. You’ll learn more about our AfricanNational community, get insights from Anne Dugger of Catherine McAuley Center andhear about plans for future multicultural gatherings.

Your participation will increase your understanding and open the door to enrichingrelationships. Please RSVP by February 7 to the church office or to me atmichelle.lecompte321@gmail.com.

Asante!

Michelle LeCompte

Care, Serve, & Outreach

Next Host Week for FamilyPromise is February 16-23St. Paul's' next week to host Family Promise will behere before we know it. The family we will be hosting

is a family of six...mom, dad and four children. If you are able to provide a meal, spend acouple of hours in the evening getting to know this family, or are willing to spend a nightat St. Paul's as an overnight host, stop by the Connection Center this Sunday andvolunteer

Mission PartnerOffering,February 9Disabilities Awareness offeringexists to celebrate the gifts andgraces of individuals withdisabilities and to promote theirfull inclusion in the community.Money received from the offering

will fund educational opportunities in Iowa as well as assist churches in making theirfacilities more accessible.

View 2020 Mission Partner Offerings

Children & Youth

With creativity and friendship, students apart of Club 56 explored the magical story ofNarnia that took us on a physical and spiritual journey. Students learned through this oneday retreat about the person God wants us to be.

7th-12 Graders SkiRetreat Weekendat SundownMountain ResortJoin 7th-12th graders from acrossEastern Iowa for a fun lock-in and dayof skiing or snowboarding at SundownMountain Resort, January 31-February

1, 2020. Friday evening, we will gather at Grand View UMC, Dubuque for pizza, games,worship and a service project. Saturday morning we will eat breakfast and then hit theslopes. We will head home on Saturday around 3:30 pm.

RSVP for Ski Retreat

United Methodist Women

Praying with Nature'sElements:Finding Meaningand RenewalBring your whole self to a morning ofrefreshing prayer and sacred storiesgathered from Pastor Sherrie’sexperiences during her 2019 renewal

leave. The earth, the sky, the water all bring meaning and renewal to our worn outselves. Share how the Spirit moved in Pastor Sherrie’s 30 days away, explore creativeprayer practices, and take nature’s meaningful messages home with you. St. Paul’sUnited Methodist Women invite women to their Women’s Day Apart on Saturday,March 7, 2020. 8:30 am Brunch; 9:00 am-12:00 pm Program. All women are included -invite family and friends!

Event Flyer

Let's Go Thrifting!We will have a spring Thrift Mart onTuesday, April 21, 2020, 9:00 am-5:00pm and Wednesday, April 22, 2019,9:00 am-1:00 pm. Help support thismission project of United MethodistWomen and the whole church. It is awin-win project for missions,neighborhood, and our own homes.

Learn More

Drive-up drop-off is available at the 2nd Avenue entrance.

Mondays: March 16, 23, 30, & April 6, 2020 - 8:30-10:30 amSaturdays: March 14, 21, 28, & April 4, 2020 - 8:30-10:30 amWednesdays: March 25 & April 1, 2020 - 5:30-7:30 pm

For high-value items and collectibles, the church now also has the online SuperStore. Sofeel free to bring ALL of your donations to St. Paul’s and know that we will make everyeffort to sell them for their optimal value for missions.

Prayers

Stephen MinistersStephen Ministers, wearing the bluebadge, are glad to talk privately withanyone going through a rough time.

Prayers for:

Continued healing & grace for:Genny Yarne (Andrew)Laverne TuckerJudith Spoerry

Rena BrodtBenjamin Van Winkle (JulieGladfelder’s grandson)Quinn Anton Jensen (Nancy & Brice

Kay ClineJanet WebsterSally FordLarry JohnsonMary Gade (Milt)Jody SvecCharman Banks (John)Pat Jacobson (Stan)Craig Ekstrom (Colton Valenta’sfather)Marianne MickleVirginia Goehring (Genny Yarne’ssister)Merida NiyibarutaGerol Goodlove (Mary)Joe TrecekSally Schroder (Sherman)Roger Walker (Catherine)Emily Bell (sister of Matt Stoner)Gary & Gloria Hammond (TomYoung’s brother-in-law and sister)Joyce Vick (Steven)Tom & Susan TitusTim Glenn (son of Laverna Hanson)Keri CollinsDenise Feltes (Ronald)Colleen LewisMichael WilkinsonMarti & Spence Grayson (DaveMahlke’s sister and brother-in-law)Linda JandikSally & Tom YoungEdie NekolaJim Struve (Sandra)John MatthewsGrace Maresh

Anton Jensen’s son)Char O’BrienSusan Moore (Lee Moore’s sister)Joe Boots (relative of Chris and MikeCrilley)Cheri Young (Gene & Carrie Young’sdaughter)Linda HadleyJustin Ilg (Sherrie & Larry Ilg’s son)Angela ShultzRhonda ViktoraCarrie Cummins (Jamie’s daughterand Steve and Kathy Davis’granddaughter)Jim & Rose MildenRaine Allen (Dixie & Roger Allen’sgranddaughter)James WaheNora Mae VanceSandy Pingel (Gloria Ford’s daughter)Mina Arbore (John)John McQuilkin (Jean Kwader’sfather)Ryan VickPam AnslynKris Yahn (Steve)

Memorial prayers for the families andfriends of:

Leo HavranBarbara NewhallBarbara Zahradnik (Bob)Marilyn Palmer (Lanette Passman'ssister)Judy Mather (Dave)

View Worship Times

Worship is for the whole family. While childcare is available in our nursery for allSunday morning services, we welcome children of all ages at all worship services.

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