July 2011

St. Paul’s Lutheran MESSENGER ___________________________________________________________________________

On the Patio

Wednesday nights 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Come & See!

Phone: 952-938-4683 Email: stpauls@saintpaulslutheran.org Fax: 952-938-1141 Website: www.saintpaulslutheran.org

Our mission is to be “an open and inviting church s preading the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

WHO WE ARE A Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Minneapolis Area Synod, Western Parks and Lakes Conference. MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to be an open and inviting church spreading the Good News of Christ. WORSHIP TIMES You are invited to join us regularly on Sunday mornings for 9:30 AM worship followed by refreshments and Christian education. Please check the enclosed calendar for days and times of activities and events. Also, an interactive calendar is available on our website: www.saintpaulslutheran.org. Just click the “Calendar” button at the top of the web page and click on the time and event for details and map. CONTACT INFORMATION The office is lightly staffed. Regular office hours are 9:15 AM to 1:15 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Please call before coming in case of unexpected closure. Phone: 952-938-4683 Fax: 952-938-1141 email: StPauls@saintpaulslutheran.org , MAILING LIST Please notify the church office when you notify the Post Office you will be temporarily away. This is because our newsletters are not forwarded but are returned to us at a cost. St. Paul’s congregation is pleased to send you this newsletter. However, if you prefer not to receive it, please call the church office or e-mail us. The newsletter is also available on our website. Save paper and postage; view it online.

CONGREGATION RELATIONSHIPS Partners Igelsia Vida Abundante en Cristo, (Abundant Life in Christ), provides a worship service in Spanish at St. Paul’s on Sunday, 1:00 – 3:00 pm and Friday, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Bet Shalom Reform Congregation, Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Lent & Holy Week Mizpah United Church of Christ, Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service Oak Knoll Lutheran Church, Confirmation Ministry Mission Agora Ministries Augustana Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins Augustana Emerald Crest Feed My Starving Children Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) Lutherans Concerned/North America (LC/NA), (RIC) Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Meals on Wheels Our Saviour’s Housing ResourceWest of Hopkins Sojourner Project Synod Disaster Relief Thrivent Financial for Lutherans West Metro Grief Support Coalition ARTICLE SUBMISSION Please submit articles as Word documents with your clip art to stpauls@saintpaulslutheran.org. Include your contact information. For pre-printed fliers or brochures, provide a condensed version that can be directly inserted into the newsletter. Submission deadline is the fifteenth of each month. All submissions are subject to editing for space and content. All rights reserved by St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH COUNCIL & ASSISTING ADMINISTRATORS

Pastor Rev. Louise Mollick Officers President – Vince Jacobson Vice President – Mary Hromatka Secretary – Jeanne Moe Treasurer – Mike Mikulay Council Members At-Large Aly Bonner Jessica Harris Kathy Powers Eric Reishus Michael Smith Finance Committee Assistant Treasurer – Bernie Johnson Financial Secretary – Shirley Schaller Staff Administrative Assistant – Linda Dundas Choir Accompanist – Linda McGee Music Director – Steve Mollick Worship Accompanist – Rachel Mollick Facility Use Coordinator Mary Hromatka Webmaster Vince Jacobson AUXILIARY BUILDING USE St. Paul’s encourages use of its facility by groups that will support our mission statement. Examples are the 12 Step recovery programs, local neighborhood organizations, and congregations seeking meeting space. Please contact us for more information if interested. PUBLICATION The Messenger is a monthly newsletter published by St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA, 13207 Lake St. Extension, Minnetonka, MN 55305.

COUNCIL NEWS

St. Paul’s Church Council meets at 7:00 p.m. the second Tuesday of every other month. Members of St. Paul’s community are welcome to attend and/or submit items for the agenda by contacting one of the council members.

Council Meeting Highlights

June 14, 2011

Gathering: President Vince Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Present: Vince Jacobson, Mary Hromatka, Mike Mikulay, Pr. Louise Mollick, Aly Bonner, Jessica Harris, Jeanne Moe, and Eric Reishus. Absent: Kathy Powers and Mike Smith.

Mary facilitated insightful discussion of peace followed by an opening prayer. Minutes of April meeting: Minutes accepted as written by Mike M., motion seconded by Mary with all in favor. Pastor’s Report: Pr. Louise noted that the Worship & Music Ministry Team has decided to list the announcements in the Sunday bulletin insert to minimize time spent verbalizing announcements during the service and to better keep the service within one hour. Dream Team: 2 focuses 1. Intergenerational: storytelling, handbells, need for more activities with the use of term “Wisdom for the Ages” rather than “intergenerational” 2. Sanctuary rejuvenation: Ruth Johnson to determine value of organ and consider selling it with congregational feedback. Finance and Stewardship Report: Mike M. reviewed: • Financial Secretary position • Building Use Coordinator: Mary to follow-up with

Odd Fellows re: usage & needs. Continuing Business: Coffee Donation recipients – Mary was designated to determine quarterly coffee funds.

•••• Coffee donations for Q3 will follow Kay Smith’s suggestion to donate to the Children’s Lighthouse Hospice program for MN children.

•••• Coffee donations for Q4 will follow Pr. Louise’s recommendation to donate to Lutheran Disaster Response to assist victims of the North Mpls tornado. Go Green Initiative – Jeanne reported recycling containers for both floors have been received. Commercial waste service should be converted over by July 1, 2011. Cigarette receptacles to be ordered shortly with decision to be made as to which exit doors. New Business:

•••• Sanctuary update – Dream Team will discuss further at July meeting. All members welcome to participate in discussion that includes online Google docs. The intent is to freshen and brighten up the sanctuary with simple, inexpensive changes.

•••• Eric, as part of the Dream Team, will intentionally focus on new outreach events: PRIDE, Raspberry Festival and Jammin’ for Joy Music Camp. PRIDE - Eric and Jessica discussed use of a coupon for a “free meal” which would offer participation in Picnic on Patio’s “grill out” the following Wednesday, June 29. Raspberry Festival - Mike M. and Mary to promote outreach event following the festival. Sending: Mary provided closing prayer. Meeting adjourned 8:25 pm. Disclaimer Highlights are not official meeting minutes and are subject to correction and change. They are provided for timely informational purposes only. Approved minutes are filed a month later in the labeled green binder in the church office for your perusal. Dream Team meetings replace the council meeting every other month. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Next council meeting: August 9, 2011.

3 Kristen Campbell 6 Vince Jacobson 8 Ben Larson 13 Erik Moe 17 Irma Wilde 24 Terri Anderson, Kristian Foss 25 Lois Lindquist

& & & & Happy Happy Happy Happy AnniversaryAnniversaryAnniversaryAnniversary 24 Eric & Pr. Diane Reishus 25 Pr. Howard & Lillian Rand

Pr. Louise is on leave and out of country from Monday, July 4th through Sunday, July 24th. We will have guest worship leaders the three Sundays of her absence. Pr. Howard Rand has graciously agreed to be on call for pastoral care needs. Please call the office with any requests 952-938-4683.

Coffee Money Receipts Everyone is invited to offer suggestions for beneficiaries of the

Sunday morning coffee donations. Please contact Mary Hromatka with your suggestions.

3rd Qtr donations will be collected for the new Children’s Lighthouse Hospice program for MN children suggested by Kay Smith. (Not to be confused with St. Paul’s Lighthouse for youth.)

4th Qtr donations will be sent to Lutheran Disaster Response Mpls Area Synod that is directly assisting victims of the North Mpls tornado.

Lunch at the Labyrinth

is underway! Join us every Monday throughout the summer, 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. There will be a “walk topic” with discussion

over lunch. Bring your own brown bag lunch and drink, and a simple dessert to share, if you like.

On the

Patio

Wednesday nights 6:30 – 8:00 PM

“POP” gatherings are off to a great start and will go on through August. This year we focus on “Stories from the Center”, enjoy lively discussion, good food, and participate in lawn, card, and board games. Outstanding fellowship will make every Wednesday a “not-to-be” missed experience. Check-out St. Paul’s facebook page for our POP video. See you there! If you are able to arrive early (6:00 PM) to help set up, it would be much appreciated.

St. Paul’s Book Club

When: The second Thursday of each month Where: Munkabeans & Sunshine Cafe 1206 Mainstreet, Hopkins Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

July reading: Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

Please make room in your schedule to join us and come whether or not you have read the book. We also would appreciate book title suggestions that you would like us to explore in upcoming months. Contact Mary Hromatka with suggestions.

raspberrycapital.com

•••• July 9–17, 2011 Hopkins is the proud home of the annual Raspberry Festival, which has become a Twin Cities tradition. The first festival was organized in 1934 during the Great Depression by a group of community business people who were concerned that the Hopkins economy and community needed a boost.

The festival features its own royalty, a search for the Golden Raspberry, a Grande Day Parade, a Family Day and more.

St. Paul’s participated with a booth on Mainstreet last year and hopes to do the same this year. The Marketplace Arts and Crafts Fair is open to the public Saturday July 16 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Rain or Shine. Sites can be setup anytime after 6 a.m. All vehicles must be removed from Mainstreet by 8:30 a.m. and may not be on the street again until after 4:30 p.m.

Contact Rey Lindquist with any questions or to help coordinate: email reylind@aol.com or call to leave a message at 952-938-6506. Look for a volunteer sign-up sheet in the narthex.

“JAMMIN FOR JOY!” We are excited to announce our plans for St. Paul’s first summer music camp – “ Jammin' for Joy!” It will be offered Monday – Friday, August 15 - 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 13207 Lake St. Extension, Minnetonka, MN 55305. This camp is for everyone -- children and adults alike -- and its focus will be on learning and sharing music. Breakfast, snack and a bag lunch will be provided each day. There is no cost to participants. Registration deadline is Sunday, July 31, 2011. Registration forms will be available at St. Paul’s or online at www.stpaulslutheran.org. Transportation to and from the camp will be available upon request. Many volunteers are needed . Please consider contributing your time, talents or monetary support for this exciting new experience. Contact Kathy Pfaendtner at 952-513-8738 or email kathy. pfaendtner@gmail.com .

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Chapel View Care Center Volunteer Opportunities

Our facility has been a fixture in the community for the past 41 years, serving the

needs of our aging and enriching the lives of individuals. We have recently revitalized our mission of volunteerism, as we now recognize the true value of our volunteers and are beginning to utilize volunteers in unconventional ways. We currently have a healthy database of volunteers but are looking to grow, as would any family. Our volunteer opportunities include hosting in our coffee or gift shop, assisting/and or leading activities, mail visits, one to one social companions, worship service escorts, as well as rehab/in-house Dr. escorts, garden care/ maintenance, bingo callers/helpers, pet visitors, musicians or anyone willing to share their talents in knitting, crocheting, quilting and a host of other possible assignments. This fall we plan to begin a Listening Presence program called BeFrienders. We will provide training, support and follow-up meetings. Our volunteers are valued applicants and will go through the same process as employees. All volunteers need to fill out an application that includes background and reference checks. Tasha Y. Mercer Director of Volunteer Services lymercer@augustanacare.org or 652-697-3829

TOUCH A LIFE Let us not grow weary while doing good. Galatians 6:9

My friend Dan, who was soon to graduate from high school, was required to make a senior presentation. He had 15 minutes to share how he had made it to the point of graduation and to thank those who had helped him along the way.

I gazed around the room before he started to talk. All kinds of people –- young families, teachers, friends, church leaders, and coaches –- were in attendance. He began to talk about the ways each person had touched his life. One woman had “been like an aunt and had always been there” for him. A 30 – something man “shared Scriptures often and gave counsel.” Another man had “taught him discipline and hard work.” A church friend had “taken him to football practice every day” because his mom couldn’t . A couple had “treated him like he was their own son.” One commonality -– they were all just ordinary Christians who had reached out to make a difference in his life.

Paul called it doing “good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). We can help shape another person’s life by showing an interest and taking action. And, as happened with Dan, we can reap a harvest.

Look around. Is there someone whose life needs your touch? - Anne Cetas, Editor

Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, For all the people you can, while you can .

Wednesday, July 6 excerpt from the new daily devotional, Our Daily Bread , by RBC Ministries. Our Daily Bread is published quaterly, available on the entryway table, and you are invited to take a copy home.

Have you borrowed an ELW Worship book and not returned it? Please let the office know. Thank you.

SEASON

OF

PENTECOST

July 3 – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Zechariah 9:9 - 12 Psalm 145:8 - 14 Romans 7:15 - 25a Matthew 11:16 - 19, 25 - 30

July 10 – 4th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 55:10 - 13 Psalm 65: [1 - 8] 9 - 13 Romans 8:1 - 11 Matthew 13:1- 9, 18 - 23

July 17 – 5th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 44:6 - 8 Psalm 86:11 - 17 Romans 8:12 - 25 Matthew 13:24 - 30, 36 - 43 July 24 – 6th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 3:5 - 12 Psalm 119:129 - 136 Romans 8:26 - 39 Matthew 13:31 - 33, 44 - 52 July 31 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 55:1 - 5 Psalm 145:8 - 9, 14 - 21 Romans 9:1 - 5 Matthew 14:13 - 21

July Bible Readings

July Lector Rehearsal Saturday, June 2

9:30 a.m.

Treasurer’s Report for May 2011 by Mike Mikulay, Treasurer

952-933-9068 or kmikulay@aol.com

Highlights from Financial Secretary Report

Actual Budget Variance May Total Offerings $14,198 $13,514 $684 May Total Operating $15,568 $14,380 $1,188 YTD Total Offerings $62,528 $67,571 ($5,042) YTD Total Operating $67,065 $71,904 ($4,839) YTD Pledged Offerings $51,210 $56,185 ($4,975) YTD Non-pledged Offerings $9,773 $10,427 ($654) YTD Building Use $2,863 $3,541 ($678)

Note1: Total Operating above includes Total Offerings plus Building Use, Fundraisers, Interest Income, and Miscellaneous. Note 2: $920.15 in Fundraisers includes $823.15 from the rummage sale, $95 from Thrivent Choice Dollars program, and $2 from greeting cards. As is our practice, 10% of the proceeds from the rummage sale will be donated to the ELCA – Mpls Synod.

Highlights from Treasurer’s Profit & Loss Budget Performance Report

YTD Actual YTD Budget YTD Variance Income $67,240 $71,900 ($4,660) Expenses $76,843 $80,803 $3,960 Net Income ($9,603) ($8,903) ($700)

Highlights from Treasurer’s Balance Sheet

May 31, 2011 Total Current Assets $27,470 Less Total Current Liabilities ($12,491) Working Capital $14,979

Note1: We have the following balances in designated funds as of May month-end: - $3,904 Youth Fund - $338 Choir and music funds - $3,485 Lighthouse Fund - $300 Children’s Ministry Fund Other News and Notes Note 1: Coffee Donations for 2nd Qtr (April, May, and June) were sent to the ELCA Int’l Disaster Response for Japan earthquake and tsunami victims.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church 13207 Lake Street Extension Minnetonka, MN 55305

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Please deliver before July 1.

God’s work. Our hands.

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Hopkins, MN 55343

WELCOME STATEMENT

We at St. Paul’s are committed to welcoming you . . .

• If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersexual, transgendered or straight.

• If you are seven, seventeen, forty-seven or one hundred and seven. • If you are black, brown, red, yellow, white or any shade in between.

• If you are broken, healed or in recovery.

• If you are rich, poor, or somewhere in between.

• If you are able-bodied, disabled or differently-abled. • If you have a strong faith, have doubts about your faith or aren’t sure you have any faith at all.

• If you have accepted Christ’s love, question Christ’s love or don’t know if you are loved.

• If you are looking for a church home, have never had a church home or need a place to find peace.

We are committed to welcoming everyone, living as a reconciling people

in our life together and in our outreach to the co mmunity.