November 2016

St. Paul’s Lutheran

The Epis†le H ello St. Paul’s and friends,

This month of Thanksgiving, I thank God for our blessings to live and worship in freedom in America. I also give thanks for St. Paul’s and the larger church around the world.

In August, President Samuel Ndanga-Toue, president of the Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic, spoke at a continuing education event I attended here in our synod. He was so happy to be in America for the first time. After he spoke, we laid hands on him and prayed for him and our sister church in Africa.

I saw a sign on the highway, “somos familia,” which means “we are family” in Spanish. God reminded me through President Samuel’s visit that St. Paul’s is part of a church family that goes beyond Schilling Avenue. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in the Central African Republic are joined in Spirit and belief that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

St. Paul’s WELCA (Women of the ELCA) raised money recently for building water wells in Africa. Thank you for contrib-uting! Enough was raised to build 1 1/2 water wells. Thanks be to God we can be a part of the living body of faith in Jesus. Here is a letter from President Samuel who has returned to Africa to continue the work of the church. Blessings in Christ Jesus, Pastor Nancy

D ear Bishop Michael, My greetings in Christ.

I am very happy to take this opportunity to let you know that my return trip went well. I have arrived safely back in my country. I wish to express my deep appreciation for your taking the initiative to invite me to come to the United States. I thank you for the welcome and hospitality that you gave me.

I came home with good memories of beautiful moments that we spent together. Be assured that this visit was not a waste of time. It was very enriching for me. Now I can tell you that I have a bit of an idea of America and its culture. But the positive aspect of my visit was especially the discovery of the different churches that form your Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, and the interest that all these churches showed in regard to companion relationship, which binds us. I was particularly moved to see the desire of these churches to support us spiritually and financially so that we can carry out God’s mission in the Central African Republic. I very much appreciate the way in which you have been attentive to our difficulties and your wishes to see peace come back to our country.

Dear Bishop, we discussed many things. You promised to assist us insofar as you are able. In the coming days, we will send you some of our priority projects for financial aid, as we discussed.

In the name of the Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic, please share with the various churches of your synod my deep gratitude for all that they did for me during my stay.

To you, Bishop Michael, thank you for your love and humility that you showed me during my stay among you. May God further strengthen this partnership between the synod for which you have leadership and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic.

May God fill you with his blessing and his peace. United in Christ Jesus. Rev. Dr. Samuel NDANGA-TOUE, President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic

The Epistle November 2016

Birthdays

4 - Holly Hamilton

5 – Debbie Bakemeier

5 – Carly Baldwin

5 – Debbie Gillespie

8 – Doris Rein

8 – Jada Hylton

8 - Gary Kruse

10 – Jake Fojt

10 – Martin Luther

11 - Richard Cain

12 - Michael Mathews Jr.

13 – Karen Elizondo

15 – Alexa Hylton

15 - Athena Wooten

16 - John Davis Sr.

16 – Regina Rein

18 – Jarrod Boehme

18 - Gregg Simpson

20 – Kaitlin Migl

21 – Myrtle Viereck

23 - Harold Pate

24 – Lorrie Andrews

27 – Elaine Vircant

29 – Dalton Rein

30 - Shelby Davis

Baptismal Anniversaries 1 - Ayden Davis

1 - Lana Lauderdale

1 - Jenna Seymour

2 - Rosie Haas

8 – Kyle Migl

17 - Allie Stephens

24 - Cheryl Boehme

25 - Phyllis Chandler

25 - Grace Reavis

26– Daniel Barras

26 - Alexandria Licklider

26– Chloe Reeder

26 - Birdie Torberson

27 - Alexa Hylton

Serving Our Country Alan Campisi, Aaron Carlin, Justin Giese,

Paul Gomez, Mitchell Handley,

Mike Hobbs, Amy Hoff and family,

Brandon Locha, Stephen McWilliams,

Aaron Molina, Chris Paradowski,

Kaylyn Perry, Chris Salo and family,

Kyle Spence, Garrett Threadgill, Austin

Wilkinson, Sean and Hannah Zarsky

In Our Prayers

Charlotte & Leon Busby-sympathy

Cindy Eschberger- shut-in

Boo Boo Fojt- healing

Helen Fojt- healing

Jake Fojt- healing

Betty Ganske- health concerns

Barbara Garrett- health concerns

Virginia Hackfeld- health concerns

O.J. Lamb- health concerns

Laurence Lauderdale- health concerns

Emily McCoy- healing

Elvie McCullough- health concerns

Lorraine Patterson- health concerns

Colleen & Ken Peting- health concerns

Walter & Doris Rein- health concerns

Gail Salewski- health concerns

Bob Steffler- healing

June Tieman- health concerns

Ben & Elaina Vircant- health concerns

Sherry White- healing

Kathe Wodahl- health concerns

Sharon Zeiss- health concerns

Thanksgiving Holiday

Church Offices Closed

November 23rd - 25th

Thank you

To all our Food Pantry volunteers,

Sunday morning worship leaders,

Tellers, Sound System Technicians,

Committee Members, Choir Mem-

bers, Instrumentalists, Prayer Shawl

Ministry, Eucharist Ministers, Card

Writers, photographers and any

volunteers not mentioned. You are

appreciated!

To Hoya Ash, Sandra & James

McGee, Don Eschberger, Chuck

Ohm, Steve Burns and any others

who work keeping our church

grounds so beautiful.

A Big Thank You To all who participated in the German

Dinner. It was a big success! For those

that donated, prepared and served food.

To Dave Reavis for smoking the

bratwurst and pork loin. It was

delicious! To those who donated silent

auction items. To the Oompa Band who

set the mood with their festive music.

And thank you for all the hours you put

in with band rehearsals. To all who

bought tickets and supported the event.

$2404 was raised for St. Paul’s capital

improvement fund. Danke!

Daylight Saving Time Ends

November 6th

“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes.

Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.” ― Erma Bombeck

The Epistle November 2016

FOOD PANTRY Open every Thursday 9am - 11am.

Clients may come twice a month.

Volunteers are welcomed!

THANKSGIVING TURKEY & FIXIN’S This year the Inreach/Outreach

Committee has decided to provide

Thanksgiving turkeys for our Food Pantry clients.

Our goal is to raise $1500 by November 13th to accomplish

this. Please make checks payable to St. Paul’s Lutheran

Church with the word ‘turkeys’ written in the memo.

This is a great opportunity for some holiday giving.

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

Thurs. November 3

Thurs. November 10

Thurs. November 17

Tues. November 22

Closed Thanksgiving Day

St. Paul’s is volunteering at the Thrift Shop for the month of November. There is a volunteer sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Please see Debbie Gillespie for more information.

1410 Louisiana Baytown

INREACH/OUTREACH NEWS

Committee Meeting, Monday, Nov. 16th at 1pm

SMALL GROUPS

Depression & Bipolar Support Group

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

Open to the public, all are welcome.

LEARN SPANISH CLASS -On Holiday Break

Class will resume Sunday, January 8th at 2:00 p.m.

BUNCO! The last Wednesday of each month 6:30-8:30pm.

Come out for an evening of ladies’ fellowship.

You’ll enjoy bunco, faith, and fun. The ladies of

St. Paul’s will play and pray together!

Sign up sheet is in Fellowship Hall.

15th Annual

Sponsored by LOVE NETWORK Donate new or gently worn coats, sweaters or jackets

(especially for children) and blankets at the church office

now through November 15th before noon.

The items will be distributed Wednesday,

November 30 from 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at

Coat of Many Colors Church, 304 North

Pruett Street.

Blood Drive In honor of Jaime Guillen Sunday, December 11th 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

DONOR COACH in church

parking lot

To schedule and appointment visit. www.giveblood.org. Sponsor code: 1538

in November

Prayer Shawl & Prayer Blanket

Blessing Sunday, November 27th

If you know of someone in need of a prayer

shawl please come to the church office.

The Epistle November 2016

Education NEWS

Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 13th at 12pm

SUNDAY SCHOOL for all ages 9:00 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS Elizabeth Circle Every second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. St. Paul’s Women of the ELCA Bible Study Group. Meet in the Music Library. All women are wel-come.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP Second Saturday of every month at 7 a.m. Guys, come enjoy breakfast, Bible study & fellow-ship. Talk with Ian Gillespie for more info.

Youth & Family NEWS

Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 13th at 12pm

(high school and college age youth)

Their next meeting will be held Wednesday, Novem-

ber 9th at Chick-Fil-A in Mont Belvieu at 6:30pm. Bring a

friend and come share a meal and fellowship with us!

Please contact Donna Reavis to RSVP 936-336-0370.

Help needed! Please join the Youth & Family

meeting Sunday, November 13th @ noon in the Parlor. We need ideas to help youth become more involved in our church. Contact Donna Reavis with any questions.

Church Women United

World Community Day

November 11, 2016 at

Cedar Bayou Grace United

Methodist Church.

Registration @ 9:30 am,

Program @ 10:00 a.m. Brunch following program.

Board meeting to follow brunch.

Volunteer Opportunity

Also, I’m looking for a volunteer (man or woman) who

would like to serve as board representative for Church

Women United Child Care Center. Someone who has an

interest in children is preferable. The meetings are held

on the 1st Thursday of each month at 11 am. If interested

please contact Dorothy Johnston for more information.

Thank you, Dorothy Johnston

Women of the

Tuesday, November 15th @ 11:30AM Hurricane Tita’s in Oak Island Carpool from Lorrie Andrew’s house

Sign-up sheets for both events are in the Fellowship Hall

INREACH/OUTREACH NEWS continued

FIRST BIBLE MILESTONE BLESSING Sunday, November 27th

We will present a Bible to our three and four year olds to mark the beginning of their faith journey.

WELCA Christmas

Potluck Luncheon

& White Elephant Exchange

Sat., December 3rd at 11:30 a.m.

Please bring a dish to share

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

The Epistle November 2016

WORSHIP & MUSIC NEWS

Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 20th at 12pm

PROPERTY NEWS

Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 6th at 12pm

Many Thanks Has everyone noticed that a TV monitor has been in-

stalled in the Fellowship Hall? This truly was a group

effort. The monitor was donated by Rick Falconi. Rip and

Susan Clanton supplied the mounting brackets, Chris

Napier supplied the electrical hook up materials, and Rip,

Chris and Steve Burns did the actual installation.

The monitor will be used for special services but also for

announcements, happenings and upcoming events.

The Property Committee is in the process of installing

new hymnal racks for some of the pews. You may have

noticed that the veneer on some of the racks has dried

and split. This is a big job to re-create new racks. The ma-

terials being used was donated by Rip & Susan Clanton

and Rip, Hoya Ash, and Dalton Rein have been working on

the project.

Pastor Nancy has a new microphone, just like the rock

stars use! Her new microphone was donated by Rip &

Susan Clanton.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy A Midweek Advent Series

Weekly Themes Week 1: The Angel Speaks to Zechariah’s Fear

Week 2: The Angel Speaks to Joseph’s Confusion

Week 3: The Angel Speaks to Mary’s Doubt

Week 4: The Angel Speaks to the Shepherds’ Curiosity

Wednesday Nights at 7:00 p.m.

November 30th, December 7th, 14th, and 21st

Worship services will be held in the Fellowship Hall.

TRANSPORTATION

There will be two sign-up sheets: One for those who

are willing to provide transportation and the other for

people who need a ride to

and from the service.

A LL SAINTS SUNDAY

November 6th

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.

Dean Grant, Marjorie Poe, Glenn Mason,

Harold Eppley, Erna Buckels,

Vernon Caninenberg, Pat Witte, Alice Bosart,

Priscilla Busby, Amiel Scheibe

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

November 20th 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 20th

after worship. Please stay after wor-

ship and join in the decorating.

25 red poinsettias are available for purchase in

honor or memory of loved ones. The are $16 each.

You may put your payment in the offering plate with

the word “poinsettia” and your offering envelope

number written in the memo. Make check to St.

Paul’s Lutheran Church. There is a sign-up sheet in

the Fellowship Hall. You may take your poinsettias

home after the Christmas Eve worship service.

The Epistle November 2016

Treasurer’s Report From this statement you can see that the Balance Sheet for August, shows a negative $8,527.76 was received to meet the expenses YTD. In order to pay the bills, we have had to "borrow" from the designated accounts. We do not have the September closing balance yet, and we will publish that information when it is available.

National Night Out

German Dinner

The Epistle November 2016

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Minutes of Church Council Meeting October 10, 2016

Present: Pastor Nancy Simpson, Debbie Gillespie, Tena Burgess, Kim Holle, Renee Napier, Becky Linsenbardt, Lorrie Andrews, Ian Gillespie, Donna Reavis, Susan Clanton and Kevin Johnston (guest).

Lorrie Andrews gave the opening devotion.

Tena Burgess gave an overview of Chapter Three in the book What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty. Tena Burgess gave an overview of the social statement study booklet: Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement. Council discussed hosting a discussion group to review the study booklet. Tena will write up an article for the November epistle.

Approval of Minutes Minutes from the September Council meeting were approved as published in the Epistle.

Pastor’s Report Pastor informed Council that the Church of the Nazarene has volunteered to advertise our church events Pastor discussed the Religion in Politics webinar she attended. The Coastal Bay Conference will be held at St. Paul’s on October 18. The church will only need to provide coffee and water

only.

Treasurer’s Report Kim Holle informed Council that income exceeded expenditures marginally for the month of September. The Boy Scout

accounts have been closed and the balance of the accounts has been transferred to the church account and will be reported in October. Debbie Gillespie stated that the Boy Scout leader has returned the church keys.

Council discussed budgetary cuts for the 2017 budget. Council will continue to look at ways to cut expenses. Discussion included: janitorial services-reduction in services (number of cleaning and carpet cleaning); education-reduction in amount of material purchased; and inreach/outreach-reduction in the number of attendees to Synod Assembly (Pastor only to attend).

Old Business Review of facility policies- Council reviewed and made changes to the funeral policy. Witte Family Memorial-Pastor continues to call and leave messages in an attempt to make contact with the Witte family. After School Program- Kim Holle is waiting on a food reimbursement to close the account. Once received she will close the

account. Constitution Revision-Renee will review the constitution regarding term limits and report to Council at the November meeting.

New Business Review of Red Book timeline

October 30 Potluck dinner November 20 decorate the Sanctuary January 8 remove the decorations in the Sanctuary

Committee Updates Education- Becky Linsenbardt will speak with Rick Falconi regarding a Christmas Program. Worship & Music will discuss Advent services at their October meeting. In November, they will meet after the decorating on

November 20. Council discussed offering rides to members to attend Advent services. Two sign-up sheets will be set out. One for members that are interested in providing transportation, and another for those who need transportation.

Youth & Family- Donna stated that 24 tickets have been sold to date. Last year at this time, 39 had been pre-sold. Council members should arrive at 4 p.m. to set-up and prepare for the dinner.

Letters to Inactive members- Council discussed sending the letter for this year. Debbie Gillespie will ask Jada to print the previously sent letter for Council review.

Other Kevin Johnston attended the meeting. He proposed the idea of renting out the church to someone who would like to operate a daycare center at St. Paul’s. Council suggested/requested a business plan be presented. Respectfully submitted, Renee Napier

OCTOBER MEMORIALS

In Honor of: Walter & Rita Scholz 70th wedding anniversary Given By: Debbie & Ian Gillespie Designation: Family Choice

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 SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Nursery available STAFF: Rev. Nancy Simpson, Pastor Rick Falconi, Director of Music Ministries Jada Hylton, Director of Office Ministries

What a good looking bunch. Thank you to everyone for your support of the German Dinner!