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Advent Season
Advent begins Sunday, November 30. The special services are listed below.
December 3
Advent Worship at 3:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
December 10
Song Service at 6:30 p.m.
December 14
Preschool-Grade Y5/K Children's Christmas Program at 2:00 p.m.
December 17
Grades 1-8 Children's Christmas Program at 9:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Reception following the evening service
Christmas Season
December 24
3:30 p.m. Celebration & Praise Christmas Eve Service with Communion
6:30 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service with Communion
11:00 p.m. Christmas Vespers
December 25
9:00 a.m. Christmas Worship with Communion
End of the Year Giving
St. Paul Lutheran Church and School has been historically blessed by end of the year giving. As our hearts open to the joy we have in gratitude to our Savior, end of the year giving is an excellent way to remember and financially support St. Paul. If you would like your offerings to be counted in your 2025 giving, plan on the following three ways and dates:
- Offering plate by Sunday, December 28
- Delivered to the Church/School Office by Friday, December 19
- Electronically given by Thursday, December 25
Online Giving Reminder
Did you know that you can give electronically to St. Paul? For more information on electronic giving please contact the Church Office at 989-684-4450 or visit St. Paul Online Giving. If you have been using electronic giving, the Board of Business Management would like to encourage you to update or reevaluate your giving so that it reflects what you desire to give.
Advent Lenten Dinner - December 3
"Make plans to attend supper between Advent services on Dec 3rd!! Wild Rice, Chicken Enchilada, and Chicken Noodle Soups will be on the menu! If you do not care for soup we will have hot dogs, various salads, desserts and rolls!!
Meal sponsored by Alaska Mission."
Benkert Family Newsletter
"Greetings in Christ! We want to take a moment to thank you for continued prayers, encouragement, and generous support throughout our seminary journey. Your partnership has meant more to us than words can express.
This marks our final year at seminary, and we are both excited and humbled as we prepare for the next step in our call to serve the Lord and His Church. God has been faithful through every challenge and joy, and we look forward with anticipation to where He will send us this coming April at the seminary's placement call service.
Our family continues to grow in faith and gratitude each day. The children are doing great at their new school, and together we have been blessed by the love and fellowship of our seminary community.
As we look ahead, please continue to keep us in your prayers - that we would remain faithful in study, steadfast in service, and joy in the Gospel of Christ.
Thank you again for walking with us in this season of preparation and growth.
Blessings in Christ, The Benkerts"
Parsonage Open House
It's the most wonderful time of the year! The Matyas family cordially invites you to their annual Christmas open house on Friday, December 12, from 6-8. Homemade eggnog and treats will be served. The Twelve Days of Christmas will be sung at 7. Hope to see you there!
JOY Group - December
“JOY” Group’s December Christmas Party will be changed to WEDNESDAY, December 17th. We will be going out for our luncheon. RSVP is needed. Please call Virginia, (989-686-3262) or Bonnie (989-225-6801) by November 30th if you plan to attend."
Church Ministry Center - Donations
There were 3 large crockpots in the Ministry Center kitchen that have gone missing and we would like to get them replaced. If anyone is willing to donate a large crockpot (or three - new or like new) to the Ministry Center, we would appreciate it! Also, if anyone would be willing to donate a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, there are times that would be a good thing to have in the Ministry Center Kitchen. Please contact the office with any questions. Thank you!
Gift Cards
Don't forget about St. Paul Scrip for your Christmas shopping, participate in our Scrip fundraiser by purchasing gift cards from us! Please contact the school office to see what cards are in stock and to arrange payment (cash or check) and pick up. Deadline for special requests (e.g. large quantities) is Thursday, December 11 to ensure orders arrive before Christmas. Click here for an order form.
Poinsettia Orders
This year, poinsettias can be purchased by individuals in the congregation to adorn the chancel area for our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. A sign up sheet with all the available sizes, along with a payment box, are set up in the Ministry Center. Checks can be made payable to Begick Nursery. If you have any questions, please call or text Jean Begick (989-928-6192). The deadline to order poinsettias is November 30th.
Thanksgiving Display and Donations
The Elders are planning to include a cornucopia display in the altar area for the Thanksgiving worship services again this year. Collected items will be donated to a local food pantry. Those interested in contributing food to the display may bring their donations to church now until November 23. Please leave them in the corner of the narthex near the basement stairs. Thank you for supporting the needs of our community in this way.
Christmas Decorations in Church - Help Requested
The Elders are welcoming anyone interested in preparing the church sanctuary for the upcoming Christmas celebration. We'll turn on some Christmas music, sling some garland, and get those trees a sparklin'. If you are available Saturday, November 29, at 9:00 a.m., please come and help!
Do You Need A Box of Offering Envelopes?
As we prepare the new giving envelopes for 2026, please consider electronic giving for your tithes and offerings. If you received a box this year but do not need one in the future, please contact the office to opt out of envelopes. You would still receive a yearly statement of contributions. On the other hand, if you haven't received a box of envelopes and would like to request one so that you will receive a contribution statement, please also contact the office. Thank you!
Adopt Our Cold Bar Program (St. Paul Hot Lunch)
Mrs. Sue Headings our Head Cook at St. Paul Lutheran School would like to invite St. Paul Church Members to consider the “Adopt Our Cold Bar Program”. Church members can learn more about the “Adopt our Cold Bar Program” in the brochure located near the ramp of the Ministry Center or by clicking here.
No time to shop?! Monetary donations are always welcomed and appreciated!
- Thank you to an anonymous donor for providing potatoes for the hot lunch Thanksgiving meal this week
- Thank you to Rosalin Hardy for proving the squash for the hot lunch Thanksgiving meal this week
- Thank you to Dennis & Teri Appold for sponsoring the cold bar for the week of November 10-14
- Thank you to Chris & Rachele Schalow for sponsoring the cold bar for the week of 17-21
Thank You
"You are God's greatest blessing. Thank you for being there with cards and prayers for my recent knee surgery. With my prayers and thanks to you, Sharon Garrett "
Wellspring Lutheran Child & Family Services - Thank You
"We would like to thank everyone for their generous donations to help the foster children of Wellspring Lutheran Child and Family Services better enjoy their Christmas. Thank you and Merry Christmas, Cheryl and Angie"
Good Samaritan Mission - Thank You
"Thank you to everybody who participated in the Good Samaritan mission towel drive. I dropped off two totes of towels and washcloths." - Denise Daly
Youth Pancake Breakfast - Thank You
Thank you to everyone that came out to support the Youth at the Pancake Breakfast. We are happy to serve you all and raised $677! A special THANK YOU to Miss Tiffany, for organizing this event.
Book Fair Thank You!
Once again, St. Paul families generously supported our Book Fair! We earned $1,000 cash profit, plus 580 Scholastic Dollars to be used for books and resources. Shoppers also donated 53 new books to St. Paul classrooms, library, and extended care. Thrivent made it possible to give 41 students new books and prizes.
A special thank you to Sheri Lusher, Amanda Boyle, Megan Kusterer, Kaleb Kusterer, Bonnie List, Carol Hayward, Clarissa Marter, Kelly Schimm, Ashley Jaskiewicz, and Julia Appold, who kindly gave of their time and talents. Thanks also to Jeff, Sofia, and Nora Glasser who assisted with Book Fair set up and clean up. Each of you helped to make the Book Fair a huge success. I am so thankful for you. - Kristen Glasser
St. Paul School - Holly Jolly Store
The Holly Jolly Christmas Store is right around the corner (December 11 & 12). The Holly Jolly Christmas Store is a fully donation funded event, for students of St. Paul to shop for Christmas gifts for family. During the Holly Jolly Christmas store, students will shop with their classes to purchase gifts ranging in price from $1-$5 for family members. Gifts will go home with the students wrapped and ready to be delivered at Christmas.
To make this a successful event for St. Paul Students, the PTO needs your help!
We are accepting donations of large shopping bags (for students to bring gifts home in-large plastic or reusable bags), gift bags, tissue paper, tape, along with new and gently used items for moms, dads, grandparents, and siblings. (We never have enough mens and older boy items so those are a top priority, but anything is appreciated!)
Donation boxes are located inside the main entrance at the school and in the Ministry Center. Every donation helps make the event special for our students.
We are also looking for Holly Jolly volunteers to set up and work the event. We appreciate as many volunteers as possible to make this event as magical as we can for the kids! Please sign up here and bring your cheer! Contact Kayla Schlicker with any questions at 989-450-8057.
Ladies Aid Christmas Program
The Ladies Aid Christmas program will be held on December 1, 2025, at the St. Paul Ministry Center. The cost of the meal is $20. Please pay with cash or check made out to "Ladies Aid." Also, let us know if you would like to be included or excluded from the Secret Pal list. RSVP's are due by this Sunday, November 23, 2025. Please call Julia Appold at 989-225-1889 to RSVP.
Ladies Aid Bake Sale
The St. Paul Ladies Aid will be having a donut hour and bake sale this year on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Donut hour will be from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., with the bake sale starting at 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. We plan to have all of our traditional German treats including Eisenkuechle, springerle, stollen, butter horns, breads, and sauerkraut. Any congregation members interested in donating baked goods (please drop off to school on Friday December 5 between 8 am and 5 pm) or helping to work the Bake Sale, please contact Diane Behmlander at 989-297-3485, Jennifer Zielinski at 989-450-9805, Clarissa Marter at 989-980-0090 or Christy Swartz at 989-245-0796. Thank you!
Ladies Aid Bake Sale Help Needed
Ladies Aid Bake Sale committee is looking for some help to get ready for the big day. On Thursday, December 4, we need fryers for Eisenkuechle and Friday December 5, we need bread makers. We would welcome any help and any shifts that you are available. If interested or have any questions, call Diane Behmlander at 989-297-3485, Jennifer Zielinski at 989-450-9805, Clarissa Marter at 989-980-0090 or Christy Swartz at 989-245-0796. Thank you!
St. Paul in Prayer
All are invited to be a part of St. Paul in Prayer, a new group beginning here at St. Paul that will be meeting once a week to pray for our school, students, staff, and church. The meetings will be every Thursday at 8:00 a.m. in the Ministry Center. They will be one hour long as we use a specific format for praying using scripture as our guide. Even if you do not have children or grandchildren at St. Paul, you may still come and join us in prayer. If you have any questions, please call or Text Heidi Schultz at 989-450-0975.
Thrivent Action Grants
Thrivent Action Grants are a fantastic way for Thrivent clients to lead a volunteer project in our St. Paul Lutheran Church and School community. Each grant provides up to $250 in "seed money" for projects such as fundraisers, service activities, and/or educational events. Thrivent Action Grants are a great opportunity to get a team together, live generously in faith, and make a small or significant difference in our church and school community. If you are a Thrivent client and have an idea for a project, you can learn more and apply at Thrivent.com/ActionTeams. If you have any questions, contact the office.
Stewardship - An Act of Faith
Colossians 1:18a – “And he is the head of the body, the church.” We are part of the Body of Christ; He is our Head. Where He goes, we follow. His thoughts direct our actions. This is how the people of God learn how to give and why they give. Because Jesus gives, indeed He gives all He has.
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