St. Paul’s Lutheran

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November 2017 The Epis le

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving in a few weeks as a holiday ritual. Usually my husband and I travel to San

Antonio to catch up with relatives and friends we haven’t seen in a while, and enjoy a feast, football, and play

games outside if the weather is agreeable. Of course, that is up for change with my

family. One year we made orange and brown paper turkey table decorations on

Thanksgiving eve. Then some of our family got up early on Thanksgiving Day and

headed to a children’s center to help cook a turkey meal and then eat the meal in little

chairs at little tables with the children who had a parent in jail. Another year we had

some soldiers from a nearby Army base over for the feast. They were away from family

and we were their sponsor family. They came dressed in their camouflage, and we all

had a good time.

You may have a Thanksgiving tradition you stick to like glue or maybe you’re more of a

free spirit that serves up a Thanksgiving meal for strangers or simply takes the day to

stay home and thank God for simple food and rest. Maybe you carry out the ministry of

St. Paul’s food pantry and provide Thanksgiving food for the needy in advance of the

holiday. Some of you work jobs on Thanksgiving Day to serve everyone else.

Here at St. Paul’s, we have a Thanksgiving tradition and it’s every Sunday during

worship! Along with hearing the Word proclaimed, we have a holy feast called the

Eucharist which means “thanksgiving” in Greek. We also call this Holy Communion.

We come by faith and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, given with

bread and wine. We can be thankful that in in this sacrament we receive forgiveness,

life, and salvation.

God blesses us with food for the body and the soul! As the After School kids pray before

every meal:

God is great, God is good, let us thank God for our food. Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Nancy

The Epistle November 2017

Birthdays 5 – Debbie Bakemeier 5 – Carly Baldwin 5 – Debbie Gillespie 8 – Doris Rein 8 – Jada Hylton 10 – Jake Fojt 10 – Martin Luther 11 - Richard Cain 12 - Michael Mathews Jr. 13 – Karen Elizondo 15 – Alexa Hylton 15 - Athena Wooten 16 – Regina Rein 18 – Jarrod Boehme 18 - Gregg Simpson 20 – Kaitlin Migl 21 – Myrtle Viereck 23 - Harold Pate 24 - Rodney Blake 24 – Lorrie Andrews 27 – Elaine Vircant 29 – Dalton Rein

Baptismal Anniversaries 1 - Ayden Davis 1 - Lana Lauderdale 1 - Jenna Seymour 2 - Rosie Haas 8 – Kyle Migl 17 - Allie Stephens 24 - Cheryl Boehme 25 - Grace Reavis 26– Daniel Barras 26 - Alexandria Licklider 26 - Birdie Torberson 27 - Alexa Hylton

Serving Our Country Alan Campisi, Justin Geese, Kevin Gillespie, Justin Handley, Mitchell Handley, Amy Hoff and family, Brandon Locha, Stephen McWilliams, Kaylyn Perry, Chris Salo and family, Kyle Spence, Sean and Hannah Zarsky

In Our Prayers Charlotte & Leon Busby-support Albert Elizondo-healing Cindy Eschberger- shut-in Boo Boo Fojt- healing Betty Ganske- health concerns Barbara Garrett- health concerns Virginia Hackfeld- health concerns Megan Hess- sympathy Kim Holle & family- sympathy Emily McCoy- support Colleen & Ken Peting– health concerns Walter & Doris Rein- health concerns Bob Steffler- healing June Tieman- health concerns Myrtle Viereck– health concerns Sherry White- healing

Thank you • To Hoya Ash, Chuck Ohm, Steve

Burns and any others who work keeping our church grounds so beautiful.

• Thank you to John Schlobohm, Chuck Ohm, Bubba, David Andrews, Ian Gillespie, Jake Fojt and any oth-ers who have helped with the con-tinued clean up after the hurricane flooding

• To Jake Fojt for his help in getting the boiler repaired

• To the Houston Food Bank for providing free pallets of food to our Pantry. And Heart and Hands food pantry, Target, and Kroger for their generosity.

• To everyone who provided food for our German Potluck luncheon. And to those who helped with the set-up and clean-up

Daylight Saving Time Ends November 5th

Thanksgiving Holiday Church Offices Closed November 22nd - 24th

PROPERTY NEWS

Committee Meeting Sunday, November 5th at 11:45 a.m.

HARVEY FLOODING RECOVERY The Church Offices, Conference Room, and Music Library have all been painted. All the old flooring has been removed and hauled away. The new floor tile is here and ready to be installed on November 6, 2017. Please remember to help St. Paul’s by making sure the doors are locked if you are the last one leaving on Sunday morn-ing or if you are at church for a special function. We recently had a theft in the storage containers (in parking lot).

Veterans Day While war and conflict between nations and people are unfortunate aspects of our human nature and weakness, we pray God will continue to reveal and shine a light on God’s paths and ways of peace, justice, reconciliation and mutual concern. Give thanks and recognition for the sacrifice of men, women and young adults who choose to serve – and have served in the past – our country in pursuit of global peace, justice and the well-being of all God’s people. On Sunday November 12th our Veterans will receive a special blessing during worship.

The Epistle November 2017

A LL SAINTS SUNDAY

November 5th

We remember our St. Paul’s

saints and loved ones who have

finished their course and now rest from their labors. You

will be invited to light a candle in their remembrance.

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

November 26th Christ the King Sunday is the end of the

liturgical year and offers God's revelation of the end.

Through Jesus' throne, the cross, forgiveness becomes the

power that Jesus Christ gives in the world.

Decorating the Sanctuary

for Advent Sun, November 26th

after worship. Please stay after

worship and join in the decorating.

25 red poinsettias will be available for purchase in honor

or memory of loved ones. Be on the look out for a signup

sheet in the Fellowship Hall. You may take your poinsetti-

as home after the Christmas Eve worship service.

WORSHIP & MUSIC NEWS

Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 19th 12pm

FIRST BIBLE MILESTONE BLESSING

Sunday, November 12th

We will present a Bible to our three and four year old's

to mark the beginning of their faith journey.

STUDY GROUPS ELIZABETH CIRCLE BIBLE STUDY Second Wednesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. Please meet in the Fellowship Hall. All women are welcome.

SUNDAY SCHOOL For all ages. 9 a.m. Sunday School and Confirmation begins in Song and Rhythm for Kids in the Sanctuary at 9:00am with Mr. Rick and the Sanctuary Choir. Then they’ll head into Sunday School and Confirmation Class. The Adult Class will meet in Fellowship Hall.

Education NEWS and

Youth & Family NEWS

Committee Meeting Sun., Nov. 12th at 11:45a.m.

2018 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING JUNE 27 - JULY 1 HOUSTON

Congregational registration is now open! All ELCA

congregations are invited to register for the Gathering.

Youth in grades 8th-12th grade at the time of registration

(2017-18 School Year) may attend as participants. Youth

do not have to be a member of the Lutheran church.

Text or phone Donna Reavis to register. 936-336-0370

Early Bird Registration is open

Sept. 15, 2017 through Nov. 15, 2017

Wednesday Advent Services 6:30pm Dec. 6th, 13th, & 20th

Held in the Fellowship Hall

The Epistle November 2017

INREACH/OUTREACH NEWS

Committee Meeting, Thurs., Nov. 1st at 10am

• Bus Trip

Tanger Outlet Mall, Texas City

Tuesday, November 14th

bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. Cost: $5

lunch on your own (place TBD)

•

Baytown Seafood (Old Baytown) Tuesday, November 21st at 11:30 a.m. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall

re: MIND Depression Bipolar Support

Thursday evenings at St. Paul’s, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Open to the public, all are welcome.

PULL TABS for Ronald McDonald House We are collecting pull-tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. There is a container in the Fellowship Hall. Feel free to fill it up!

BUNCO! The last Wednesday of each month

6:30-8:30pm.Ladies you’ll enjoy bunco, faith, and fun. Talk with Renee Napier for more information.

FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER Open 9a.m. - 11 a.m.

Thurs. November 2

Thurs. November 9

Thurs. November 16

Tues. November 21

Closed Thanksgiving Day

Prayer Shawl & Prayer Blanket

Blessing Sunday, November 26th

If you know of someone in need of a prayer

shawl please come to the church office.

Women of the

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED 2017 World Community Day

KINDLING NEW

FIRES FOR

You Are Invited Date: Thursday, November 2, 2017 Time: 10:00 a.m. Registration Place: St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 3811 North Main St, Baytown, TX

Contact Dorothy Johnston for more info 281-427-5062

WELCA Christmas Potluck

& White Elephant Exchange

Sat., December 9th at 11:30 a.m.

Please bring a dish to share

and invite a friend. ($10 limit on gift)

Love Thy Neighbor

Reformation Door

Many of you “nailed” your

expressions of love toward

your neighbor during the

month of October.

A special acknowledgement

goes to the After School kids.

They loved posting their love

notes.

16th Annual Coat & Blanket Drive Sponsored by Love Network

WHEN Please drop your items by November 15th

WHERE Fellowship Hall

WHAT New or gently worn coats, sweaters or jackets (especially for children) and blankets

DISTRIBUTION 304 North Pruett Street Wednesday, November 29 3-6pm at Coat of Many Colors

The Epistle November 2017

LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL - OPEN HOUSE

The YMCA After School Program had an open house bringing awareness to the importance of

after school programs.

Reformation Party We had a great time at our Reformation Party. To our surprise, Martin and Katy Luther graced us with their presence. Aka Susan Clanton and Pr. Nancy Simpson.

We challenge you to show that your lights are on afterschool!

Grant Soileau Nate Soileau Drew Bruner Lauren Perry Brooks Bruner Bring a joyous noise to our Sunday morning worship!

The Epistle November 2017

October Memorials/Honorariums

In Memory of Given By Designation Lawrence Lauderdale Becky Linsenbardt (8/20) Capital Improvements

Bobby Phelps Rip & Susan Clanton General Fund (father of Kim Holle) David & Lorrie Andrews General Fund James & Sandra McGee Capital Improvement/Major Repair Debbie & Ian Gillespie Capital Improvements/Major Repair In Honor of Given By Designation O.J. Lamb Melvin “Hayden” Johnson lll General Fund

Young Adults in Global Mission The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29

into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. As they offer them-

selves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors.

They share in the journeys of companion churches and organizations in one of nine

countries around the world.

A year of service through the Young Adults in Global Mission program invites young

adults to become the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, providing critical support to

ministries and projects in communities of need. It also invites volunteers into a journey

of self-reflection, providing space to consider their sense of identity, God’s work in the

world, and their place within it all. Applications for the program open on December 1, and are due Feb. 15 each year,

for service beginning that same August.

Young adults serve in the spirit of accompaniment, walking alongside global companions in a manner that practices mutuality,

interdependence and solidarity. Areas of service include, but are not limited to, health and development, congregational

ministry, human rights, education, homelessness, addiction recovery, women’s issues and

children and youth. All site placements provide opportunities for young adults to confront

issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, economic disparity and globalization,

all through the lens of faith.

Candidates for Young Adults in Global Mission apply to the program at-large rather than

to a specific country. Applicant preferences are taken into account but the final decision

about where volunteers serve is made by Global Mission staff and YAGM country

coordinators in mid-April. Current YAGM country programs include: Argentina Uruguay,

Australia, Cambodia, Central Europe, Jerusalem/West Bank, Madagascar, Mexico,

Rwanda, Senegal, Southern Africaand United Kingdom

We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world – together. Come, imagine

yourself in the world! For further information contact YAGM at 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2446

Visit their Facebook page: Young Adults in Global Mission-Elca @ELCAYAGM

The Epistle November 2017

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX Council Meeting St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

October 12, 2017 Members Present: Debbie Gillespie, Ian Gillespie, Pastor Nancy Simpson, Donna Reavis, John Schlobohm, Kim Holle, Becky Linsenbardt, Angie Ash Members Absent: Susan Clanton, Kevin Johnston Becky Linsenbardt reviewed Chapter 8 of What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty (Whom Do We Help and How Much?).

The October Council Meeting was called to order by President Debbie Gillespie at 6:35 PM.

SEPTEMBER MINUTES Donna Reavis MOVED, Ian Gillespie seconded, to approve the Minutes of the September 14, 2017Council meeting as presented. Motion carried.

PASTOR’S REPORT Pastor Nancy reported that Lorrie Andrews has volunteered to be the second Confirmation mentor.

There are now seven children attending the After School program.

There is an interest in utilizing the St. Paul’s facility for a Boy Scout group. John Schlobohm offered to be the liaison and will contact the Boy Scout group.

Pastor Nancy suggested that two exterior signs be made: On back kitchen door – “for assistance, ring buzzer at parking lot gate”, and By outside mail door with worship and Sunday School times and a Scripture.

TREASURER’S REPORT The September Treasurer’s Report was presented by Kim Holle. Kim reported a deficit of $ 1,951.75 for the month of September. St. Paul’s has received approximately$12,000 in donations to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund for church repair.

Kim noted that it is time to renew the employees’ medical insurance. There is an approximate yearly increase of $2,000 for the coverage. Kim Holle MOVED, John Schlobohm seconded, that St. Paul’s continue to pay the employee coverage. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS YMCA After School Program (Previously discussed)

Constitution Revision Committee Council members presented comments and edits to the Constitution Revisions. Angie Ash MOVED, Kim Holle seconded, that the Constitution be approved as revised with those edits. Motion carried. It will be forwarded to the Synod for review/approval and then distributed to the congregation for review/approval. NEW BUSINESS The red book timeline was reviewed.

Committee Reports – Youth & Family A German potluck will be held for the Reformation luncheon after church on Sunday, October 29. Pork loin and brats will be provided, and the congregation will be asked to bring German side dishes. No alcohol will be served.

Worship & Music The Reformation Party will be held Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 with pizza and a video.

Property John Schlobohm and Ian Gillespie reported that Phase I of the church repair is progressing well. Painting is being done, and floor tiles are being selected. Estimates are being reviewed for tile installation. All old tiles have been scraped up in the Sunday School rooms where cracks were found in the walls and floors. Allied will be contacted to determine if there is a warranty on leveling work that was previously done.

The November St. Paul’s Council meeting will be held Thursday, November 9, at 6:30 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted, Angie Ash, Secretary

Reformation 500

Looking Back & Called Forward

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church- ELCA 712 Schilling Avenue Baytown, TX 77520 Tel (281)422-9333 Fax (281)422-3648 Web Site: www.stpaulsbaytown.org Office Hours: 9:30AM-3:30PM, M-TH Food Pantry - Thursdays 9 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. STAFF: Rev. Nancy Simpson, Pastor Rick Falconi, Director of Music Ministries Jada Hylton, Director of Office Ministries

On Sunday October 15, 2017 we celebrated with those who turned 80 and Over years.

Pictured left to right: Kathryn Wright, Glenroy Harewood, Emily McCoy, Myrtle Viereck, Colleen Peting,

Ken Peting, Doris Rein, Dorothy Johnston.

Not Pictured: OJ Lamb, Robert Steffler, Walter Rein, Jean Carson, June Tieman, Richard Cain, Pat Swanson,

Virginia Hackfeld, Betty Ganske, Jake Fojt

Happy Birthday to our

Octogenarians and

Nonagenarians!