St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

910 Marne Highway Hainesport, New Jersey 08036-2666

Office Phone: 609.267.0740 Fax: 609.267.3798

E-Mail: stpaulslutheran@stpaulsh.org

Ministers - All Members! Karen Platt,

Council President Rich Moyer,

Council Vice President Beverly Grazioli,

Sunday School Director Rosanne Scassero,

Office Manager Denisemarie Ramos,

Director of Music The Rev. Elaine C. Quincey,

Interim Pastor

Keep these folks in your prayers… ...those who are hospitalized, ill or other: Jack Barry, Sandi Berry, Linda Brooks, Alyssa

Corrigan, Angie DelVecchio, Eilyn Doe, Carol Lee Eckman, Don Egan, Cynthia Fazzini, Amari Fuhriman, Berta Graham, Kathy Hanuscin, Alice Izzo, John and Rina Johnson, Kathy Kennedy, Joy Lynch, Dennis Marks, Bob McCabe, Harold McDonnell, Edward McLaughlin, Kathy Moran, Marilyn Murray, Mike Norton, Marilyn Parent, Samuel Paul, Gloria Reagoso, Daniel Ritchie, Linda Seitz, Tim Shell, Julia Stanz, JoAnn Stevenson, Bill Tantum, Arlene Weiss

...those who have long-term illnesses: Ray Bayley, Gerri Burns, John Carmichael, Linda Coburn, Edith Crane, Bob Cross, Sharon Favaloro, Bob Grover, Theresa Jones, Mary Meddahi, Virginia Sandstrom, Betty Schmidt, Kathy Strano, Justin Vinluan, Amanda Williams, Violet P. Wise

...those who are homebound: Victor Bush, Jane Challender, Walt Cliver,

Elmer & Mildred Conover, Fran Craig, Millie Guenther, Eleanor Johnson, Johnny Johnson, Alice Karis, Arlene Kaye, Nancy McKeown, Marilyn Phifer, Bob Wolfrom

...those who mourn: Anna Yoos McDonnel on the death of her

husband Harold A. McDonnel, LCDR USN Ret.

Susan Carpenter-Bayley on the death of her partner Ray Bayley

David and Agnes Kimball and family on the death of Agnes’ father

...those in the military or other service: Michael Cobb, Navy L CPL Timothy Robert Ritter, USMC ...for peace and unity in our own country

Please help us keep this list updated. Let the church office know if someone should be removed from this list. (609) 267-0740 or stpaulslutheran@stpaulsh.org.

Worship Services:

Saturday, 5:00 PM Sunday, 9:00 AM Sunday, 11:00 AM Sunday School, 10:00—11:00 AM (September—May)

Worship Attendance

December 14 & 15, 2019 Total—147

5:00 PM—23 9:00 AM—60

11:00 AM—64

For Your Information—For Your Inspiration

News & Notes for St. Paul’s Community

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 21 & 22, 2019

For Children Ages 2—6: Busy Bags are available near the Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) Table in the back of the sanctuary. One bag per child, please, and return bags to the bin following worship.

Visitors and members—Welcome to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church! We’re glad you’re here and pray that you experience God’s kindness with us in worship.

At St. Paul’s, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, all baptized persons are welcome at Holy Communion—the Altar is God’s table. The ushers will direct you down the center aisle. Please pick up a communion cup and proceed to the altar rail. Glasses of grape juice are available in the center of the tray. Gluten free wafers are available. If you are unable to come to the altar, please inform an usher so the Eucharist may be brought to you.

Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.

Today’s Readings

Isaiah 7:10-16 - An Israelite and Aramean military coalition presented a serious threat to King Ahaz of Judah. In response, Ahaz decided to secure his throne and kingdom by seeking Assyrian help. Isaiah reminds Ahaz that human attempts to establish security will fail. The prophet gives the sign that is the only source of true safety: Immanuel, God is with us!

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80:7)

Romans 1:1-7 - Most of the Christians in Rome do not know Paul. In this letter’s opening he introduces himself as an apostle divinely appointed to spread God’s gospel. The gospel’s content is the promised coming of Christ, and Paul’s mission is to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations, including his Roman audience.

Matthew 1:18-25 - Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth focuses on the role of Joseph, who adopts the divinely-begotten child into the family of David and obediently gives him the name Jesus, which means “God saves.”

St. Paul’s Mission Statement

Rooted in God's unconditional love, the congregation of Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, commits mind, body,

spirit, and treasure to encourage all people to become disciples of Christ, to share God's abundance, and to proclaim

the Gospel in word and deed.

Open Study Hours

Pastor Elaine’s open study hours for the upcoming week are listed below:

Week of December 23

Monday 1:00 - 4:00 PM Tuesday Christmas Eve Wednesday Worship at 10:00 AM Thursday Christmas Holiday with Family

Other hours available by appointment. Call anytime in the event of an emergency.

Pastor Elaine’s Contact Info

Cell: 609-410-2828 Office: 609-267-0740 x 21

Email: pastorecq@stpaulsh.org

CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS

Thank you to all who participated in this year's gift card fundraiser. We made a total of $404.21. I am sure all your family and friends enjoyed yours gifts. Thank you again for supporting this fundraiser. Lois Uetz

December 21—5:00 pm

Longest Night and the Fourth Weekend in Advent

The longest night of the year is December 21. While most people are excited and happy at

this time of year, some are grieving a significant loss.

This Holy Communion service will be quieter and meditative in nature to give voice

to those who are sorrowful.

Christmas Eve

4:00 pm—Family Friendly Holy Communion led by our Praise Band

8:00 pm—Festival Holy Communion with Candle Lighting

10:00 pm—Festival Holy Communion with Candle Lighting

Christmas Day

10:00 am—Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion

December 29

We will have only one Sunday service at 10:00 am

Christmas Cookies Baking Christmas cookies? Please think about baking an extra batch to freeze, and we will use them for Valentines for our shut-ins. We will be collecting them in February

for delivery. Watch the Chimes and FYI for dates!

Mitten Tree

The Christmas tree will remain in the narthex for January and February to receive donations of mittens, gloves, hats, scarves and children’s socks to donate to those in the area who can use them.

Let’s keep the tree full!

December Food Collection

Suggestions for this month: canned soups, stews and chilies, canned pastas, hot cocoa mix. As always, all items welcome! Paper, plastic and cloth bags are also needed.

Please place the items on the cart in the narthex. Thank you!

Save the Date! January 19, 2020!

Church-Wide Sock Hop Lunch,

Dance & Sock Collection at

12:15 PM

DJ Ron Champion

Socks will go to The Christian Caring Center, Mt. Nebo Holy Church and The Extended Hand Shelter

Pat Headrick needs your help!

Please see her if you could lend a hand with this event! Thank you!

Looking to clear out those closets? We will also be having our annual

Martin Luther King Coat Drive. Please bring your winter coats the

weekend of January 18 & 19. Coats will be donated to the

Christian Caring Center to be distributed to those in need during

these cold winter months.

Thank you!

This Week at St. Paul’s

Sunday, December 22

9:00 AM Worship

11:00 AM Worship

7:00 PM Chorale (M)

Monday, December 23

8:00 PM AA (PH)

8:00 PM NA (M)

Tuesday, December 24

4:00 PM Worship

7:00 PM AA (SH-C)

8:00 PM Worship

10:00 PM Worship

Wednesday, December 25

Church Office Closed

10:00 AM Worship

Thursday, December 26

Church Office Closes - 12:00 PM

6:30 AM Men’s Prayer Breakfast (PH)

9:30 AM Thursday Fellowship

Friday, December 27

Church Office Closes - 12:00 PM

8:00 AM Chimes Assembly (CR)

Saturday, December 28

5:00 PM Worship

8:00 PM NA (CR)

Offering Envelopes

The 2020 Offering Envelopes are now available for pick up in the Narthex. Please stop by and take yours.

Note that there are new donor numbers for 2020. By renumbering the list to only those who actively use envelopes, we were able to accommodate everyone with only 200 envelopes instead of the 300 purchased in prior years. Envelopes are also provided for the Simply Givers should

they desire to participate in any of the special offerings. If anyone didn’t get envelopes but would like a set, please contact either Rosanne or Ken in the Business Office. Thanks!

December 22, 2019

Fourth Weekend of Advent

11:00 AM Prelude Parish Concerns Confession and Forgiveness Sharing the Peace Hymn #258, Unexpected and Mysterious Greeting Hymn of Praise, Now the Feast, #167 Prayer of the Day Anthem, Come My Light, Christus Choir First Reading Lighting of the Advent Wreath Psalm Second Reading Alleluia Verse Holy Gospel Response Sermon Hymn #263, Savior of the Nations, Come Apostles Creed Prayers of Intercession The Offering Offertory #465, Grains of Wheat Offering Prayer Great Thanksgiving The Proper Preface Holy, Holy, Holy, #191 The Words of Institution The Lord’s Prayer Invitation to Communion Communion Hymns: Lamb of God #252, Each Winter as the Year Grows Older #251, My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness Table Blessing Prayer After Communion Song After Communion #208, Praise Be to You O God of Mercy Blessing Hymn #257, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Dismissal Postlude

Our Worship Ministers 5:00 PM, 9:00 & 11:00 AM

Greeters: Ed & Gail Blakeslee, Barb & Al Sloan, _____ Ushers: Bill Lynch, Ken Steel, Sam Horn, Ella Soles, Casey Colbridge, Gabby Harris, Peggy Bush Acolytes: Bill Lynch, Kate Soltesz, _____

Projection Assistants: Trish Brining, Trish Colbridge, Kayla Reed Bread Provider: Sharon Layman Altar Guild: Claudia O’Malley, Barb Sloan, Joan Dunlevy Lectors/Readers: Nancy Prickett, Tom Schulz, Peg Biringer Communion Assistants: Nancy Prickett, Mike O’Rourke, Barb Sloan, Jana Opperman, Ken Hibbert, Cindy Henry, Nancy Williams Assisting Ministers: Nancy Prickett, _____, Ken Hibbert Presiding Minister: Pastor Elaine C. Quincey Church Closers: Claudia O’Malley, Jen McLaren

To all who served as worship assistants this weekend, thank you for your ministry to the congregation.

Flowers Provided to the

Glory of God…

Poinsettias provided by members of the congregation.

Please fill the empty spaces for December and Christmas Eve and Day

Worship Assistants.

No experience? We will train you! You can sign up on the bulletin board in the

narthex by the entrance.

Thank you!

Diner Dash

On Saturday, January 11, following the 5:00 pm service we will be having dinner at the Diamond Diner on Route 38 in Hainesport. Joan & Joy Lynch

will be taking reservations before the service. It will be an

open menu with individual checks. All are welcome!

All are invited on Sunday, January 12 to Dave Pagenkopf’s SURPRISE

90th Birthday Party!

Please RSVP to the office by December 29. (email preferred - stpaulslutheran@stpaulsh.org)

We will pass the RSVPs to the family.

All are invited on Sunday, January 12 to Dave Pagenkopf’s SURPRISE

90th Birthday Party!

Please RSVP to the office by December 29. (email preferred - stpaulslutheran@stpaulsh.org)

We will pass the RSVPs to the family.