Happy Thanksgiving St. Paul's is a generous community.

As you give thanks, consider giving to those in need. Below are listed several ways for you to make a difference in the lives of others.

Mission Focus for November

Baldwin Center

The Baldwin Center Holiday Store returns, serving 50 - 100 families. The store features a free shopping day for new toys, new clothing and new household items. Each family will also receive a food basket with holiday meal ingredients and staples. Food, clothing, financial donations and volunteers are needed. Donations are requested by December 1. See items needed: Baldwin Holiday Store Wish List

Volunteers are needed Nov 29 - Jan 13. Volunteer Sign up  

Socks for Baldwin

Donations collected in cart in the Narthex

Karen Rider is collecting socks in all sizes for the clients of Baldwin Center. 

Christmas Basket Project

St. Paul’s will help at least 100 families in need with our partners at Neighborhood House, providing Hollywood Market gift certificates to clients as a way of making their Christmas a little brighter. We need volunteers to make calls (contact Amy Reno) and distribute gift cards (contact Larry Hice).

Gift card distribution will be:

December 15 12 - 2 p.m.

December 16 12 - 2 p.m. & 5 - 6 p.m.

December 17 10 a.m. - noon.

You are invited to participate in any of these time slots - no reservations required - just a friendly attitude and a warm smile.

To make a financial donation, please write “Christmas Baskets” on the memo line of your check to St. Paul’s UMC or donate online.

Liberian Student Scholarships

Donations are needed to meet our commitment to fund scholarships for 44 Henri Dennis School students in Liberia. Please consider donating to the scholarship program. Donate online.

Advent Calendar

Advent begins Sunday, November 27. Help us stock the Food Pantry at Neighborhood House by collecting food items on the list and delivering them to church after Christmas Eve. Advent Calendar

Generosity Campaign Update

As of this past week, we have received 197 estimates of giving totaling $878,327 which has caused us to now surpass where we were at the end of 2022. With a year-end goal of increasing our budget by $200,000, there are still almost 60 estimates of giving that have not yet been turned in from households that shared one last year. If each of these households remained at the same level, that would be almost $125,000 additional for us in 2023. We are getting closer to our goal and you can help make that happen as we continue to transform lives and grow our ministry at St. Paul's. If you have yet to turn in an estimate of giving for 2023, please prayerfully consider what God is inviting you to give as we continue to plant the seeds of faith, hope, and love in lives in our communities and around the world. Remember, "you will always harvest what you plant!"

Holy Family Participants Needed

Saturday, December 24; 7 & 10 p.m. services

We would love to bring back our Holy Family tableau to the Christmas Eve services. No lines, acting or memorization needed. Simple costumes will be provided. If you have new baby in your family and are interested in representing the Holy Family during this time, please contact Amy Heitman at [email protected].

Seeker’s Study

Mondays, November 28 – December 19

1 – 2:30 p.m. in Room 132 and on Zoom

Spend the four week season of Advent with The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent. Scholar and pastor, Susan Robb, will help us explore the four angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. See more

All-Church Advent Study

Mondays, Nov 28 at 6:30 - 8 p.m. in the Parlor

Women's LIFE, Mondays, Nov 28 at 7 p.m. in Room 128/129

Tuesdays, Nov 29 at 7 p.m. in Rickard Chapel and Zoom

Join us for our Advent study, The Redemption of Scrooge, by United Methodist pastor, Matt Rawle. Our study is based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, as we explore the world of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchits, with an eye to Christian faith. Along the way, we will meet the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come as we learn about living with and for others in a world blessed by Jesus. Contact the church office at 248-651-9361 for more information about the classes listed above.

SPARK Luncheon

Thursday, December 1

12:30 p.m. at Rochester Mills

Join us at Rochester Mills Brewing Company for lunch and selection of books for 2023. New members are welcome. Come and meet members and decide on the book selections for next year. To make a reservation, call Linda Burnard at 248-765-5511.

Advent Concert

Friday, December 2

Noon in the Sanctuary

Add something special to your Advent Fridays by attending these 30-minute concerts. Free Admission.

Featuring Joseph Daniel, organ & harpsichord.

Volunteers Needed!

Kris Kringle Sale & Outreach

Friday, December 2; 4 - 10 p.m.

Saturday, December 3; 12 - 10 p.m.

West 4th Street, Rochester

St. Paul's will be selling Handmade Treasures crafts and inviting our community to our Advent and Christmas events. All proceeds go to the Neighborhood House in Rochester. We need help in the booth to sell crafts and hand out information. For more information, please email Donna Heflin or Rob Patten.

Kris Kringle 2022 Volunteer Sign Up

Baby's First Christmas

Sunday, December 4

10 a.m. in Hickey Hall

If your child or grandchild will be celebrating their first Christmas this season, we invite you to join us to be recognized and receive a hand-crafted ornament. Please email Amy Heitman.

Christmas and Candlelight

Tuesday, December 6; 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary

St. Paul’s United Women in Faith invite you, your friends, spouses and neighbors to an evening of music and fellowship. It is UWF’s holiday gift to you.

Begin the holiday season with the sweet sounds of oboe and strings in a program featuring sacred and reflective carols and well as lively arrangements filled with the holiday spirit. Our evening’s entertainment will be provided by quartet of Timothy Michling, oboe, James Berezney, violin, Janine Bradbury, viola, Susan Clark Joul, cello.

People of Faith 2023 Series

Please Register by December 8

People of Faith Adult Faith Formation and Community Building group of Rochester Area Churches has set it's program series for 2023. Please register for the series by December 8. See the 2023 Schedule.

A Merry Little Christmas Party

Saturday, December 10

2 - 3:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary to Hickey Hall

Join us as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. We’ll have a Christmas carol sing-along, crafts, a chance to visit with Santa, bingo, and a special birthday cake for Jesus. Invite your friends and come experience some Christmas cheer. This event is for all ages.

Gently used toys will be collected to support Grace Centers of Hope.

Health Ministry Team has provided the following important information:

Start Simple with My Plate