April 2016

St. Paul’s Lutheran

The Epis†le Easter is early this year, and in many places across this church trees will still be bare and fields barren. It might even snow.

But on Easter morning we will gather to greet the risen Son and give thanks to God for the new life we have in Jesus Christ.

Two things come to mind this Easter when there is still only the hint of spring: Jesus’ words to his disciples just before his

crucifixion and a hymn.

Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you,

unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it

dies, it bears much fruit.” Jesus was talking about his death, but he was also assuring his

disciples and us that death is not the end, that, though it might seem impossible and even

terrifying to step into the void, God brings life out of death.

The hymn is ELW 379.

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,

wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;

love lives again, that with the dead has been;

love is come again like wheat arising green.

The tune is actually a French Christmas carol. How perfect that, in the bleak midwinter, the

promise of spring was planted. St. Paul wrote, “Do you not know that all of us who have

been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” We have already fallen into

the earth and died. “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly

be united with him in a resurrection like his.” We will not remain alone. We will bear fruit.

The seed has been planted in all the barren places in the world and in our lives. That gives

us the power and the hope – especially in the face of our brokenness – to see life where the

world only sees death ... in refugee camps and hospice units, in parched earth and in floods,

in oppression and denied justice we are bold to confess. Now the green blade rises. Now

love lives again. Now love comes again like wheat arising green.

Christ is risen.

Elizabeth A. Eaton

Presiding Bishop

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

A community-owned walking

tractor is one tool to help

formerly landless people in

Cambodia bring food and

nourishment to their families

for the long term. From agri-

culture to microloans, water

wells to health clinics, your

gifts to ELCA World Hunger

support the work that gets at

the root causes of hunger in

the U.S. and in nearly 60

countries.

ELCA World Hunger

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

God’s work. Our hands.

The Epistle April 2016

Birthdays

2 – Ruth Blue 3 – Sherry Eickenhorst 4 – Dennis Salo 5 – Gavin Parker 6 – Michelle Fredricks 6 – Darren Seymour 7 – Elvie McCullough 8 –Kalyse Hospedales 12 – Becky Rouyer 14 – Erin Viereck 18 – Helen Reavis 19 – Chad Davis 20 – Ken Peting 23 – Sherry White 25 – Kristen Clanton 26 – Charlotte Busby 30 – Skyler Davis 30 – Colleen Peting

Baptismal Anniversaries 1 – Ruth Blue 1 – Holly Hamilton 1 – Jan Lorfing 1 – Colleen Peting 3 – Elizabeth Johnston 5 - Boo Boo Fojt 5 – Arlen Holle 5 – Kevin Napier 8 – Lorrie Andrews 8 – Shelby Davis 8 – John Davis 9 – O.J. Lamb 10 - Chuck Chandler 10 – Cody Herrington 13 – Emily Viereck 15 – Virginia Hackfeld 20 – Shawn Landry 20 – Pat Mayberry 23 – Ian Gillespie 29 – Laney Cherry 29 – Ty Haro

Anniversaries 7 - John Davis and Holly Hamilton 10 – Brian & Lori Viereck 12 – Steve & Millie Baxter 17 – Jake & Jan Lorfing 27 – Kent & Regina Rein

Serving Our Country Alan Campisi, Aaron Carlin, Michael Giese, Paul Gomez, Mitchell Handley, Corbin Haro, Mike Hobbs, Amy Hoff and family, Brandon Locha, Stephen McWilliams, Aaron Molina, Chris Paradowski, Kaylyn Perry, Chris Salo and family, Cheryl Sisco and family, Kyle Spence, Garrett Threadgill, Austin Wilkinson, Sean and Hannah Zarsky

In Our Prayers

Family of Beverly Blue- support Shannon Blue- health concerns Charlotte & Leon Busby-support Jean Carson - health concerns Cindy Eschberger- shut-in Betty Ganske- health concerns Barbara Garrett- health concerns Virginia Hackfeld- health concerns Jim & Patsy Hilton- health concerns Dorothy Johnston- healing Emily McCoy- healing Elvie McCullough- health concerns Lorraine Patterson- health concerns Colleen & Ken Peting- health concerns Walter & Doris Rein- health concerns Bob Steffler- healing June Tieman- health concerns Sherry White- healing Kathe Wodahl- health concerns Sharon Zeiss- health concerns

Thank you

To all those who participated in God’s Work Our Hands Part 3

To Cheryl Boehme for cleaning all of the assistant minister and acolyte robes

To Debbie Gillespie for rounding up all the volunteers needed for our special services

To Becky and Steve Rouyer for cook-ing all of the chicken for our Seder Meal and to all that helped with the Seder Meal. You are appreciated!

To all who donated candy and Easter

Eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt To the Men’s Fellowship for provid-

ing the wonderful Easter breakfast To Lexi Hylton for refreshing the

paint on the Sanctuary butterfly To Trinity Episcopal and Memorial

Baptist for donating food to our Food Pantry

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

Happy Easter from the Rein Family!

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed!

Alleluia!

Spring is nature’s way of saying, "Let’s party!" ~ Robin Williams

The Epistle April 2016

With Many Thanks Have you noticed how nice the church property looks?

We have a dedicated church member that has given his

time and talents for taking care of the church and the

church lawn. This person, Chuck Ohm, volunteers with a

happy heart.

In doing this the trees and shrubbery on the church

property have been trimmed. The grass has been cut and

mowed weekly. The lawn mowers are maintained. The

trash has been taken to the curb and back twice weekly.

He has done various handyman projects around the

property. He also works with the Food Bank in many

ways. He helps to unload food, works at the weekly

distribution. After the day is done he records the

temperatures on the Food Pantry freezers and mops the

Food Pantry floors.

He helps Pastor Nancy come up with the wording for our

church sign. He does various jobs for Jada in the church

office. He also runs the sound system on Sunday

mornings.

The next time you see Chuck tell him thank you for all the

tender loving care he puts into St. Paul’s. Chuck, we

appreciate all that you do!

Baby….it’s hot

out there

Summer time is coming and

the heat is soon to be rising! Our A/C units are

very old and in need of constant upkeep. Summer

time is not the time for them to go out—or you

might be wearing your bathing suit to church!

Our Capital Equipment Reserve fund has only

$1,200 and as everyone knows, this is not enough

to fix an A/C unit in the summer—or the winter!

We are starting a campaign to raise $10,000 to

keep in our reserve fund, so when that A/C fails,

or if some other mini disaster comes along, we’re

not in a panic!!

Over the next few months you will hear more

about this—we will keep you updated, not as the

temperature raises up, but as our fund raises up!

Please mark A/C Reserve on your check to help in

our drive to keep the heat down!

PROPERTY NEWS

Committee Meeting Sunday, April 3 at 12pm

After School Program News ASP Board Mtg. Wed. April 6 at 5:00pm

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, the After School kids have started a

pledge bulletin board outside the ladies restroom. An example of their pledges

might read, “I won’t leave the water running while I brush my teeth.” You are

invited to post your Earth friendly pledge on the board. Working together

boosts accountability! The kids will also be planting a tree on Earth Day, you are

welcome to come by and support them.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going

to get better. It's not.” -- Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

The Epistle April 2016

INREACH/OUTREACH NEWS

Committee Meeting, Monday, April 25 at 1pm

Golden Group News

Tuesday, April 19 at 11:30 a.m. Teapot Depot in the Highlands (luncheon's now

take place of the 3rd Tuesday of the month)

Tuesday, May 3 Wharton County Historical Museum Morris Ranch Carriage House Time: 7:30am church parking lot Cost: $15 includes bus and tour Lunch: 9er’s Grill on your own

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

LEARN SPANISH CLASS Sundays at 2pm

Come and learn to be a bilingual speaker!

Taught by Pr. Nancy in the teller room

SELF DEFENSE CLASS Wed. April 27th, 6:30-9:00pm.

Sponsored and held at the Baytown Community Center Free Class. Register online: www.baytown.org/programs or call 281-420-6598. Take charge. Be prepared. Don’t be a victim!

FOOD PANTRY Open every Thursday 9am - 11am.

Clients may come twice a month. Volunteers are

welcomed!

Women of the

WELCA Southeast Cluster Spring Event

Saturday, April 9th at 9:30 a.m.

Hosted by St. Paul’s Lutheran, Baytown

Theme: Anxiety Disorders

Breakfast and lunch will be served

RSVP by Friday, April 1st Karen Sweet Cheney

email: office@newlifelutheran.com phone 281-485-1818

St. Paul’s Women’s Spring Luncheon Saturday, May 7th at 11:30 a.m.

Our spring luncheon is a yearly event.

All women of the church are invited to attend.

Please bring a dish to share and invite a friend.

Baytown Church Women United

Child Care Center You Can Be A Piece of the Puzzle Fundraiser

The CWU Child Care Center helps 80-90 families each

year by offering very affordable, high quality daycare.

Please see the insert on how you can help.

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! See sign up sheet in Fellowship Hall.

Jody from Gentry Junior High School dropped by the Food Pantry to pick up snacks for students taking the STAR tests. We were glad to help!

To be doing good deeds is man's most glorious task.

-- Sophocles

The Epistle April 2016

EDUCATION NEWS

Committee Meeting April 10 at 12pm

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 welcome.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP Second Saturday of every month at 7 a.m.

Guys, come enjoy breakfast, Bible study & fellowship.

Talk with Ian Gillespie for more info.

SUNDAY SCHOOL - all ages

and CONFIRMATION CLASS for 7th - 8th graders

9:00 a.m. Please join us, there’s something for

everyone. See bulletin board in entryway for your teacher

and classroom.

Community Flea Market Saturday April 16th from

9am-2pm in the church parking lot. We will be selling

spots in the parking lot for $25 (17' x 17') so you can

come and set up and sell whatever you have. Set up

will be from 6-8:30 that morning. If you have a few

items to sell but not enough to buy a spot, please

bring those items, already priced, that morning and

we will sell it for you. We have 25 spots left for pur-

chase. BBQ sandwiches, chips and a drink will also

be available. All proceeds will benefit Lutherhill Day

Camp. Help spread the word! Please see Donna

Reavis for more information.

Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction has been

cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. We are able to

raise funds for Lutherhill Day Camp with the Commu-

nity Flea Market & BBQ so please continue your

support of the youth through this fundraiser.

Youth & Family NEWS

Committee Meeting April 10 at 12pm

Lutherhill Day Camp

June 13-17 Registration begins April 17th for Lutherhill Day Camp! Lutherhill Day Camp is an opportunity for young people, who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade to experience a Christian summer camp program close to home. Camp will be June 13-17 from 8:30-3:30 here at St. Paul's. We will meet the staff during worship on June 12th. We need one more family to host the 4 counselors for supper Monday or Tuesday evening June 13th or 14th., please contact Donna Reavis to set this up. We have spots for 40 campers that have completed Kinder-garten through fifth grade and the cost for all week is $25 per camper. Registration forms will be available April 17th. See Donna Reavis on Sunday or Jada Hylton during the week to register your camper. If you are available to help in any way during this week, with signing in campers, being the camp nurse, etc., your help would be greatly appreciated. It will be the best week ever!

The Epistle April 2016

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Youth Group met at Ci Ci’s Pizza for Fellowship

They also attended the KSBJ Concert!

A day at the Park with the young ones

The Epistle April 2016

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes March 14, 2016

Present: Pastor Nancy Simpson, Tena Burgess, Renee Napier, Debbie Gillespie, Ian Gillespie, Tori Rein, Lorrie Andrews, Dalton Rein and Donna Reavis. Absent: Kim Holle, Susan Clanton and Becky Linsenbardt Pastor Nancy opened the meeting with devotion and prayer. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the February meeting were approved as published. Old Business

Gun Legislation - Pastor Nancy will arrange for a police officer from the Baytown Police Department to come and speak to Council at the April meeting regarding recent gun legislation, church security and active shooter preparedness.

Facility Use Policies review – Tena Burgess and Tori Rein will review policies with Jada Hylton and report back to Council.

Treasurer’ Report Council reviewed the monthly expense and fund reports. Council requested a review of the Thrivent investments. New Business

The updated Red Book was distributed and reviewed. Committee Updates

Property 1. The veneer has been purchased to repair the hymnal holders in the sanctuary; part of the funds

were donated. 2. The doors to the Sacristy and Vestry are being left unlocked. 3. The ice machine has gone out. The committee received a bid to repair and replace the machine.

The decision was made not replace the machine at this time. Bagged ice will be purchased as needed.

Worship & Music 1. Holy week service preparation was discussed.

Education 1. Men’s Fellowship donated money toward the funeral service for Mrs. Flores. 2. Volunteers are needed for the Nursery. Currently, Renee Napier and Tori Rein have volunteered

as needed. Youth & Family

1. The garage sale set for April 16th is replacing the Spaghetti dinner as a fund raiser. More advertis-ing for the people to purchase table spots is needed, as well as advertising of the garage sale.

Respectfully Submitted, Renee Napier

Memorials & Honorariums March

IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY DESIGNATION Jean Felty Umberger Becky Linsenbardt After School Program (mother of Diane Hurst)

Vernon Caninenberg Rip & Susan Clanton Capital Improvements Hoya & Angie Ash After School Program Jake & Helen Fojt AC Fund

WORSHIP & MUSIC NEWS Committee Meeting April 17 at 12:00 p.m.

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 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 Sharon Mathews, Director of After School Program Jada Hylton, Director of Office Ministries

The After School Program kids were glad to get their new Bibles. Thank you St. Paul’s!