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St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 721 Twelfth Avenue, Huntington WV 25701

The mission of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church is to CELEBRATE and PROCLAIM to all the saving grace of JESUS CHRIST in word and deed.

Worship on Sunday Mornings at 10:00am Adult Forum 11:15am in the parlor

COME AND

WORSHIP! ALL ARE

WELCOME!

Worship on Sunday Mornings at 10:00am

Adult Forum 11:15am in the parlor

Advent Mid-Week

“Tidings of Comfort and Joy” This Advent series gives voice to the complex situations and emotions with which we

greet the coming Messiah and uses the reactions of those who first received the news of Jesus’ birth (Zechariah, Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds) to do so. These services acknowledge responses of fear, confusion, doubt, and curiosity, while the

coming of Jesus promises comfort and joy for all of us.

Wednesdays at 7:00pm with Holy Communion December 4: “The Angel Speaks to Zechariah’s Fear”

December 11: “The Angel Speaks to Joseph’s Confusion” December 18: “The Angel Speaks to Mary’s Doubt” and “The Angel Speaks to the

Shepherd’s Curiosity”

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Pastor’s Reflections

As many of you already know by now Advent is one of my most favorite church times. Many of you also know that this time was special for my family when I was growing up. We celebrated Advent at home – me and my three siblings. Advent for me is one of those foundational times. We all have these foundational times. Maybe yours is Lent. Maybe it Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day with your family. Maybe it is a time that you celebrate with your co-workers. This season of preparation/ joy is good and right and proper as we wait for the celebration of God among us – Immanuel. In January the Adult Forum will be looking through a book entitled: “Leading Causes of Life.” It is written by Gary Gunderson, who I had the privilege to meet on a recent trip to North Carolina and Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC. Is Advent/ Christmas an opportunity to live life in the fullest? What does a full life look like for me, for the community I am living and working in? What happens when life wants to: “get the better of me”?

I am intrigued by the title. Some of the questions I raise for myself I have written above. There are many more: So how am I doing in living life? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Going through the motions? How is God’s church St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church doing in living life?

So much of our world is filled with bad news. I think the reason I started watching Hallmark movies this time of year is because of all the bad news. I needed something consistent to cheer me up. Much of news is depressing. It makes us anxious and not want to do anything in life. We end up hiding away in our offices, our cars and other places. We don’t live life. We end up being depressed about the world and everything in our personal lives.

During the season of Advent and Christmas it is good to remember that God doesn’t hide away. God comes to us. Advent is especially a time when we prepare for that coming once again. In all the preparations we recall and think on God’s desire to stay connected with us. It is about God’s desire that we live life. I am looking forward to reading and discussing the book at Adult Forum. Gunderson lists ways he believes we can live life, even as it may seem to drag us down and get the better of us. I pray you seek those “causes of life” in you and your family’s lives. May God guide you and direct you this Advent season of preparation. May God give you hope and strength as you seek to live the life God desires for you. Your partner in the walk, Pastor Mackey <><

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CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE

December 4, 11 at 5:30pm We will also practice during Sunday School each week.

Our final practice and dress rehearsal will be December 14 from 1:00-3:00pm

Please make every effort to bring your child to all of the practices.

Christmas Program will be on Sunday December 15 during the 10:00am

worship time.

The youth have been active at St. Paul. We started the month packing backpacks and beginning Christmas Program Re-hearsals. The youth are learning Christmas music, and picking their characters and learning their lines. We also have youth (5th grade and older) learning to play bells as a bell choir for the first time. As we prepare for the season of Ad-vent, we are thankfully blessed in prayer, worship, fellowship and community. This month we have brought bible stories to life, like the story of Elijah , the only prophet of God, at Mount Carmel. This story illustrated God is the one true God and through Him all things are possible. Within our Faith, we realize God has a plan for us, even if we doubt ourselves, God works through us & relieves those doubts. God can do anything. God start-ed a fire on wet wood when Elijah prayed to the Lord. Sometimes believing in ourselves and giving our unconditional Faith is the hardest part. Once we learn, God has our back, God is our strength, our King, our Redeemer, then we truly can see the light- we need to love like He loves us and it needs to start within ourselves. At the end of this lesson, Pastor led a discussion about All Hallow’s Eve and All Saints Day. A Saint is a child loved by God. We are all Saints and loved by God. If we put God first, the other things fall into place. When we put God first, we worry less about the things we can’t control. God leads us through the stresses and the messes and the blessings prevail. We are born children of God and loved by God and this is the Good News we must be thankful for and share with others! The youth prepared Advent Lunch for the congregation after worship on 11/17/19. We had soups, chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, b.l.t. sandwiches, poppyseed salad and desserts. It was a wonderful afternoon to take time and enjoy food and fellowship with one another. Advent devotional for families were given out. Families will learn a different name of Jesus each day and make a chain with the names to hang on their Christmas tree. Each family also received bible trivia cards to enjoy daily during dinner time. The youth raised $240 for the Camp Luther fund. We thank each and everyone who came and supported our efforts in sending our kids to camp. You are appreciated. The youth also put up the Good Gifts tree for the ELCA. You are invited to help make a difference this Christmas in a child’s life, a family’s life or the lives within a community. They have several needs. Please take a moment to look and see if you could help in any way. You can chose a tag & put your donation in an envelope & put in the offering plate or turn into the church office. We will continue to pray, sing, worship and praise God through this Advent season as we prepare to deliver “The Christ-mas Story” on Sunday, December 15th during Worship at 10am. We will have a Birthday Celebration for Jesus afterwards in the undercroft. All are welcome! Please come and join us! I am thankful for all the love, friendship, fellowship and partners in community that we have in our congregation at St. Paul. Let God’s Love GROW! This was the quote of the day in 365 Days of Wonder by R.J. Palacio ( author of “Wonder”) Seemingly a perfect way to end my newsletter! May all be blessed by the Love and Grace of our Lord! Your Loving sister in Christ, Jill May

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We would like to thank each and every one for their prayers, cards, help, telephone calls and delicious meals furnished to us from some very special ladies of St. Paul during and after Ernie’s recent hospitaliza-tion. You can’t imagine how very much we appreciate this. Also a special thank you to Pastor Mackey. Please continue to pray for us. Ernie and Helen Golder

St. Paul Christmas Card Mailbox is open for business! Our mailbox, built by Bob Winterhoff, is back in the narthex and waiting for your cards. If you would like to give a Christmas Card to someone in the congregation please place your card(s) in the box. Be sure and check each week to see if there are cards waiting for you to pick up!!

ELCA GOOD GIFTS

Are you star ting to think about Christmas shopping yet? Having trouble coming up with just the right gift for that person who has everything? Consider purchasing alternative Christ-mas gifts this year. ELCA Good Gifts program helps you give the perfect Christmas gift.

Our annual “Good Gifts” tree will be up by the glass doors next Sunday. By choosing a tag from the tree and donating the specified amount to ELCA Good Gifts you are helping those in need throughout the world. Gifts

can be made in honor or in memory of loved ones. It’s simple: take a tag, write your name on the back, money to the church office (or offering plate) and pick up a special greet-

ing card that you can then give to someone as a gift along with the tag. The church office will send the money in to ELCA gifts for you.

Please make sure you indicate on your check that the money is for ELCA Good Gifts.

Saturday, December 14 10:00am Please join us for our Annual Hanging of the Greens as we decorate the church for Christmas. There is a job for everyone! A light lunch will be provided.

Want to help decorate the church for Christmas? Red Poinsettias in 6 inch pots can be purchased

for $10.00 each. Dedications can be in honor of, or in memory of loved ones. Orders must be in

the church office by December 15 along with payment. Order forms will also be in the bulletins.

In honor of: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In Memory of: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Number of Poinsettias ______________

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DECEMBER

48+ cans of Chili Men’s boxers size L

We have increased the number of backpacks that we are sending to Southside Elementary each week to 32. It costs approximately $8.00 per child which comes out to $256.00 each week. In order to continue this pro-gram of feeding 32 children on the weekends we need donations from you. If you would like to donate food please purchase individually packed items. Please do not bring any items that contain peanuts. If you prefer to make a monetary donation please make checks out to St. Paul and write “Backpacks” on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to the church or put in the offering plate.

We all have gifts, graces, and talents given to us by God. As Christians, we are called to serve God and use these gifts, graces and talents. It is time to share our gifts with those less fortunate by donating food and sweets to our Christmas Basket Program. We are adopting twenty-five families this season to show the light of God’s love and fulfill our discipleship as faithful followers of Christ. There will be a sign up sheet in the narthex and a list of non-perishables to purchase and the date they are to be brought to church. There will also be a sign up sheet to purchase perishable items to bring to church on the Sunday we will be delivering the baskets. This has been a very rewarding ministry in the past and we know the loving hearts of St. Paul will continue to show the love you have in Christ Jesus during the celebrations of the birth of our Savior. Here is how you can help: 1. Buying perishable items for a family 2. Packing items for delivery 3. Delivering items to the families The items needed to be brought to Church for the following weeks: Nov. 3rd Box of instant mashed potatoes Nov. 10th Canned vegetables Nov. 17th Canned chili or soup Nov. 24th Box of spaghetti noodles and canned sauce Dec. 1st Canned fruit Dec. 8th Box of cereal A shopping list of perishables will be given to those who will be shopping for a family. We would like to thank all who participated in this worthy minis-try in the past years and pray you will volunteer your services for this coming Christmas season. Baskets will be delivered on Sunday December 22.

The Backpack program is in need of clean plastic grocery bags. If you have nay you can donate please leave them in the church library.

Carolyn Frye, principal at Southside Elementary, will be here on December 1 to speak to us about the Backpack program.

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DECEMBER 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Ist Sunday in Advent

9:00am Special Council Meeting 10:00am Worship

11:15am Sunday School/Adult Forum

11:30am Yoga

1:00pm Woman’s

Club

9:00am Quilters 5:30pm Youth

program practice

7:00pm Mid-Week Worship 7:30pm Choir

Noon Bible

Study

5:30pm

Southside Neigh-borhood Dinner

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

2nd Sunday in Advent 10:00am Worship 11:15am Annual

Meeting

11:30am Yoga

12:00pm Staff Meeting

6:00pm Writer’s

Group

9:00am Quilters 5:30pm Youth

program practice

7:00pm Mid-Week Worship 7:30pm Choir

Noon Bible

Study

10:00am Hang-

ing of the Greens 1:00-3:00 Youth

Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

3rd Sunday in Advent 10:00am Worship Children’s Christ-

mas Program Birthday Party for

Jesus

11:30am Yoga 9:00am Quilters 7:00pm Worship

7:30pm Choir

NO Noon Bible

Study

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

4th Sunday in Advent 10:00am Worship

11:15am Sunday

School/Adult Forum Deliver Christmas Baskets

11:30am Yoga CHRISTMAS EVE 7:00pm Worship

11:00pm Worship

Church Office Closed

Church Office Closed

29 30 31 10:00am Worship

11:15am Sunday School/Adult Forum

11:30am Yoga 9:00am Quilters

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The Book Club will meet on November 21 at 10:30am. We will be discussing “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

St. Paul Lutheran Church Thursday, December 5

5:30pm Please bring a covered dish or dessert to share.

Main course/drinks provided. Door Prizes

Holiday Musical Entertainment

The first half of our Congregational Annual Meeting will be held on December 8 right after worship. We will vote on the Mission Finance Plan (budget) and elect council members.

Fellowship shared the success of the ladies lunch out. They hope to continue the time of fellowship and gathering.

Went through the church calendar of upcoming ministry happenings for November and December. Received and had discussion on a tentative Mission Finance Plan from the Stewardship and Finance com-

mittee. Christian Education reminded folks to stay for the Pre-Advent Camp Luther fundraiser on November 17. The

committee is planning to have soup and sandwiches. Decided to have two worship services on Christmas Eve – 7:00 p.m. and 11: 00 p.m. Still need nominees for eight vacant Council members. Will meet on December 1 at 9:00 a.m. to approve a Mission Finance Plan to send to followers of Jesus here

at St. Paul and for approval vote at Annual Meeting after worship on December 8.

Baptism of Tiffany Chapman on November 17. The Quick Response Team (ORT) of Huntington

is asking for donations of coats, hats, and gloves they can give to clients this winter. Any new or gently used items would be appreciated. You can drop them off in the narthex.

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Monday “Lectio”

Tuesday “Meditatio

Wednesday “Oratio

Thursday “Contemplatio”

Friday “Actio”

Monday “Lectio”

Tuesday “Meditatio

Wednesday “Oratio

Thursday “Contemplatio”

Friday “Actio”

Monday “Lectio”

Tuesday “Meditatio

Wednesday “Oratio

Thursday “Contemplatio”

Friday “Actio”

Monday “Lectio”

Tuesday “Meditatio

Wednesday “Oratio

Thursday “Contemplatio”

Friday “Actio”

Monday “Lectio”

Tuesday “Meditatio

Wednesday “Oratio

Thursday “Contemplatio”

Friday “Actio”

December 2—December 6 Isaiah 40:1-11 Mark 1:1-4

December 30—January 3 Mark 1:21-45 Psalm 103:1-5

December 9—December 13 Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13 Luke 2:25-32

December 16—December 20 Luke 1:5-25; 57-80 Psalm 113

December 23—December 27 Mark 1:1-20 Psalm 91:9-12

DAILY BIBLE READING The chart below lists the readings that we will hear on the following Sunday. Each week you will follow an ancient practice called

“Lection Divina” or scripture praying. Each day you will contemplate the same scripture in a different way. Here are the explanations for each step:

“Lectio” — Read the passage(s) slowly and deliberately. Get a good sense of what the passage says. “Meditatio”— Read the passage(s) again, slowly. Pause on a word or phrase that strikes you and take time to consider what it means to you in your life. “Oratio”— Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to your in this passage and respond back to God in prayer. “Contemplatio”—Ask yourself: What conversion of mind, heart, life is the Lord asking of me? Take some time to simply remain in the presence of God. “Actio”—Action is an essential result of the encounter with God in sacred scripture. Having received God’s grace and love, we go forth to serve others out of the love we have been given. What call to action is God calling you to through this passage? Use the space below each day to write one word or phrase that comes to mind as you read the passage.

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DECEMBER 2019 WORSHIP HELPERS Assisting Minister Reader Communion Deacon 12/1 David Stuart Piper May 12/8 Andrew Wellman Linda Schneider Bernadette Wellman 12/15 Bernadette Wellman David Stuart Andrew Wellman 12/22 Keith Wellman Andrew Wellman Beth Brown 12/29 Rick Eid Keith Wellman Cheryl Conzett Acolyte Crucifer Ushers 12/1 Katie Dowis Ethan Arneson Steve Golder 12/8 DeLaney Utley Adriana Bakley Steve Golder 12/15 Hunter Eid Piper May Steve Golder 12/22 Kaylen Simpson Emma Simpson Steve Golder 12/29 Madelyn Fizer Cameron May Altar Guild Tim and Cheryl Conzett Bread Providers Tim and Cheryl Conzett Sanctuary Lamp Chapel Lamp Linda Hay Sound System Daniel Brown

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE FOR NOVEMBER

If you would like to sponsor the flowers or lamps: Altar Flowers are $30 for one Sunday. Sanctuary Lamp is $12 for one month. Chapel Lamp is $12 for one month.

Flowers 12/1 Linda Hay 12/8 Anne Graybeal 12/15 Debbie Perkins 12/22 Cindy Jones 12/29 Ruthann Arneson

November 3 84 November 10 84 November 17 72 November 24 81

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 7:00pm Assisting Minister James May Reader Annette DuVall Communion Deacon Annette DuVall Acolyte DeLaney Utley Crucifer Olivia Bell Candlelighters Jenny Murray, Owen Murray, Carolyn Fornash, Zoie Fornash 11:00pm Assisting Minister Ruthann Arneson Reader Bernadette Wellman Communion Deacon Keith Wellman Acolyte Emma Arneson Crucifer Ethan Arneson Candlelighters Carolyn Fornash, Zoie Fornash, Nathaniel Fornash, Emma Arneson

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Shepherding God, you are the source of life and health. Surround those who struggle with illness or other difficulties of life and bring them to wholeness and healing: LaDonna, Marissa, Eric, Husna, Eric, Frank; Ann, Elmina, Barbara, Kayla, Sharon, Charles, Jenny, Kenny, Elijah, Helen, Ernie, Tom, Sally, and Marty.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2 Meredith Brumfield 3 Brice Dowis 5 Natalee Utley 8 Susie Wagner 9 Barbara Garnett 21 Chris Eid 27 Brier Wagner; Aryah Freels 30 Ingeborg White

If you are in the hospital, or are at home with an extended illness, please let Pastor Mackey or the

church office know. Pastor Mackey is always availa-ble to bring Holy Communion to you especially if an illness has kept you at home on Sunday mornings. Meals can be provided to those who want them. Please call the church office at 304-525-9630 to

make an appointment.

If you would like to put someone on the prayer list please contact the church office at 304-525-9630. Beginning in January all names will be removed from the prayer list. If you would like a name to remain on the list please call the church office.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 27 Neil and Ruthann Arneson

30 Carl and Creigh Pemberton 31 James and Jill May

CHOIR RECOGNITION LUNCHEON The gathering at Marshall Hall of Fame Café on Sunday, November 10 for Bill Korstanje’s many years of singing and

dedication to the Senior Choir was enjoyed by the following St. Pau members: Bill and Judi Korstanje along with their sons and families: David, Doug, Susan and Daughter Emma, Carolyn Becker, Cheryl and Tim Conzett, Annette DuVall,

Richard DuVall, Bill and Janet Grimes, Bill and Kay Jennings, Dale and Susan Kelz, Sherry Phillips, Linda Schneider, David Stuart, Helen Stuart, and Choir Director Henning Vauth. Funny stories were told about Bill Korstanje’s time in the choir and a poem presented by a long time choir friend. Gifts were given to Bill by the choir and during church

service Annette DuVall spoke of Bill’s service and presented him with a special gift.

MUSIC ALIVE

Thursday, December 5 12:00pm

“Alto Clef” (Viola, piano, cello, and flute) First Presbyterian Church, 1015 5th Ave (parking in back)

presented by Marshall University School Of Music

Lunch (donation) will be served after the program

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PRAYER VENTURES DECEMBER 2019

1 First Sunday of Advent Lift up prayers of thanks and praise for this season of anticipation, remembrance and celebration of Jesus Christ — God’s awesome gift of love and redemption for all humanity. 2 Pause each day to reflect prayerfully on the symbols, traditions and practices — ancient and new — that we see and experience throughout Advent and Christmas. Give thanks for everything that centers our attention on the good news of Jesus Christ, deepens our faith as loved and redeemed children of God, and inspires and guides our baptismal journey. 3 Today has become known as Giving Tuesday, a day for encouraging generosity and charitable giving. Pray that the Spirit will always inspire us to be generous with our resources, money, gifts and time for the sake of our neighbors in need. 4 Pray that we awake each day, putting on Jesus Christ and shining as a light in the world, a brilliant light that shines with good news, love, justice, compassion and peace. 5 Remember in prayer Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) and the other hospitals in East Jerusalem. AVH is owned and operated by the Lutheran World Federation and supported by several of its member churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pray that our government will restore funding vital to the safe and effective operation of the East Jerusalem hospitals as soon as possible so that patients — especially children, who are particularly at risk — will continue to receive the treatment and care they need. 6 Give thanks for the young people who have served or are currently serving as Young Adults in Global Mission, working alongside our global companions to share the gospel, grow the church, care for people in need and strengthen communities in the name of Christ. Pray that these young adults will inspire others to respond to God’s call to ministry and service — locally and globally. 7 When you see an Advent wreath, reflect on the circle of evergreen branches and give thanks for the gift of eternal life we have in Jesus Christ — the promised Messiah, born for the sake of the world. 8 Pray for clarity and faith in the lifelong baptismal journey for which the Holy Spirit calls, renews and equips us — a journey for the sake of the world. 9 The “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” is a public apology offered by our church in the context of the quadri-centennial remembrance of slavery in this country. With faith in God’s forgiveness and mercy, pray that we will be unconflicted in our repentance, committed to understanding injustice and racism, and bold and persistent in working to end racism and white su-premacy wherever they exist, including in the church. 10 Give thanks that we are freed by our faith to serve our neighbor and affect change in our communities, nation and world — change that is grounded in the gospel and God’s vision of justice, compassion, healing and peace for all people. 11 Pray that God’s righteousness, justice, peace and compassion for the poor and oppressed will flourish in the world, and that we will be bold and persistent in doing God’s work together. 12 Remember in prayer people, especially women and children, who live in refugee camps and immigration detention centers. Pray that they will soon return home or move to a community or country where they are welcome and safe, able to reunite with family and reestablish their lives. Give thanks for our church’s and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s commitment to advocate and care for refugees and immigrants everywhere. 13 Remembering that we have been welcomed without hesitation into the body of Christ, pray that we will exercise, without judg-ment or partiality, grace and hospitality toward our neighbors — friends, antagonists and strangers alike. 14 Give thanks to God for the gifts, service and ministry of women as we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely. 15 Give thanks for being reminded and reassured — through the word of God, the sacraments and the witness of one another — that Jesus is the promised Messiah, our savior, teacher, life and hope.

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16 Pray for ELCA missionaries and young people serving in the Young Adults in Global Mission program who are separated from their families and home congregations during the holidays yet celebrate the good news and gift of Jesus Christ with our companion church-es and brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. 17 Pray that wherever the weather turns cold and damp, all people will have the warmth and safety of shelter, and that where shelter is absent or difficult to find, the love and generosity of God dwelling in us will move us to create and open shelters in our congrega-tions, community spaces and homes. 18 Give thanks for ELCA Good Gifts, an opportunity to support ELCA ministries and programs in nearly 80 countries around the world, including the United States. These funds and gifts support work being carried out by our congregations, companion churches and ecu-menical partners. 19 Over 47,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2017, and there were approximately 1.4 million suicide attempts. Pray for hope, relief from suffering and skilled, compassionate care for people who struggle with loneliness, isolation and depression, es-pecially during the holidays. Ask that the Spirit will move us to see and respond to the people around us and to engage in and support suicide-prevention efforts such as the work of the Suicide Prevention Ministry, an independent Lutheran organization. 20 Give thanks and praise to God, who lifts up those bowed down and oppressed, watches over strangers and sets free the bound and imprisoned. 21 Remember in prayer the many people who work and serve during the holidays, including first responders, care providers, law en-forcement, medical personnel, pilots and attendants, truck drivers, men and women serving in the military, seafarers, social service staff, and people serving in stores, restaurants and hotels. 22 In the story of Mary, Joseph and the humble birth of Jesus, we sense God’s love for humanity and God’s understanding of the di-verse contexts in which we live. Praise God for loving us as we are and for reaching into the world in ways that we can relate to, un-derstand and embrace. 23 Ask that we will be strengthened and inspired by the Holy Spirit for sharing the story of God’s love and mercy — the story of Jesus — in today’s world and culture. 24 Christmas Eve What draws you to Jesus? What are you looking for in God’s promises? Give thanks to God for revealing to us through Jesus Christ the gifts of fullness of life and the one true light that illuminates God’s ways and truth. 25 Christmas Day Join with our sisters and brothers around the world and with all creation in lifting up prayers and songs of praise and thanksgiving for God’s gift of love and life, manifested in the birth of Jesus Christ — a light in the darkness that cannot be over-come. 26 “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” Pray for enthusiasm and courage in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ through our words and actions each day. 27 Remember in prayer people who struggle to meet the costs of living, students and seminarians graduating with long-term student loans, and people experiencing ongoing or unexpected medical expenses. Ask God to help us exercise understanding, empathy and generosity in our support and care for people struggling with financial debts and needs. 28 Pray that the good news, joy and faith that live in us will not diminish with the passing of the holidays and special celebrations but will grow deeper and pervade every aspect of our life. 29 Reflect on Mary and Joseph fleeing one country for another with the baby Jesus; lift up in prayer all people who suffer injustice and persecution and have become refugees and immigrants seeking safety and acceptance. 30 Pray that God will bless the experiences of college and university students participating in J-term courses and service-learning ex-periences, and that these will enrich their faith, knowledge, wisdom and discernment of vocation. 31 On the threshold of a new year, ask that the Spirit will instill in us a sense of time and life that is unrushed, observant and appre-ciative of the people, community, creation and gifts given by God for our sustenance, use, enjoyment and sharing.

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CONTACT INFORMATION Reverend Kevin L. Mackey, pastor

pastor@stpaulhuntington.org

Henning Vauth, Music Director music@stpaulhuntington.org

Jill May, Youth Director

youth@stpaulhuntington.org

Kathy Mackey, secretary secretary@stpaulhuntington.org

Please visit us at www.stpaulhuntington.org

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 721 12th Avenue

Huntington, WV 25701 304-525-9630

The mission of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church is to CELEBRATE and PRO-CLAIM to all the saving grace of JESUS CHRIST in word and deed.

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Steve Golder-Council VP and Stewardship/Finance SJG@JenkinsFenstermaker.com

Andrew Wellman-Treasurer awellman17@hotmail.com

Barbara Garnett-Worship and Music barbgarnett@gmail.com

Norma Gensler-Fellowship normagensler@gmail.com

Richard Eid-Evangelism reid@woodlandswv.com

Christina Eid-Evangelism ceid1961@iclouc.com

Carolyn Fornash-Education angelbaby25704@aol.com

Neil Arneson-Worship and Music arneson@marshall.edu

John Scott-Social Ministry jscottpac@aol.com

Bernadette Wellman– Social Ministry bernadettewellman@hotmail.com

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St. Paul Lutheran Church 721-12th Avenue Huntington, WV 25701

2019