A Message from Pastor Dale

This coming Sunday, January 28, we will gather for our Annual Congregational Meeting immediately after worship in the church sanctuary. Much more will be shared and celebrated at the meeting, but until then, and in case you’re unable to attend, here are a few thoughts of mine.

As we reflect back on 2023 together, Pr. Carrie and I are so filled with gratitude for the incredible journey that our congregation has been on. Your strong and committed support to this church has allowed us all to flourish and accomplish ministries and mission that have helped many in our immediate church family, our surrounding communities, and our world. It has been a joy to be a part of and to witness the impact we have made together, in God’s name. 

Specifically, what has continued to amaze me, is how in just a short four-month period, our collective efforts have propelled us closer than was imagined as this point, towards bridging the gap through our “Bridge the Gap: Two-Years of Renewed Mission and Ministry” appeal and celebration. Your generous contributions, totaling already $10,298 (towards our $30K goal), exemplify the spirit of generosity and commitment that continues to define our church family and speaks volumes about our commitment to “Sharing Christ’s Love With Joy!” Thank you!

It was one year ago at our Annual Congregational Meeting that our Vision for Shared Pastoral Ministry was introduced and approved. As 2023 progressed we were able to see that Vision become fulfilled in August. Pr. Carrie and I continue to give thanks, daily, for the awesome opportunity to serve alongside one another as we continue to seek to fulfill our mission in this place.

As we also look ahead to the future this Sunday, I again invite and encourage you to attend. Your presence is crucial as we come together to celebrate, to vote for new church council members and to approve the 2024 annual church budget.

Your presence matters, and your participation ensures that our church will continue to thrive and serve our community effectively in the months and years to come.

Following the meeting, we’ll come together for a potluck dinner. This gathering will not only be an opportunity for fellowship but also a celebration of our relationships, the blessings we have received and the exciting journey that lies ahead.

Again, thank you for your support, commitment, and love that you shower upon our church family in so many ways. Together, we are making a difference, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

See you in Church! (and bring a friend!)

Pastor Dale

Sunday, January 28

9:00 a.m. Worship

View Order of Worship

In-person and streamed live on our Church Facebook Page.

For those without computers or internet access,

the service can be listened to by calling 651-371-5421

We hope to see you there! Bring a friend!

Annual Meeting & Potluck

Join us on Sunday, January 28 after worship for our Annual Congregational Meeting with a potluck lunch to follow. This will be a hybrid meeting. Contact the church office for the link, if needed.

The 2023 Annual Congregational Written Report is available here

or on the table in narthex. (One copy per family)

You can also view a brief biography of our three new Church Council Nominees by Clicking Here.

The January 2024 Church Council Minutes are available here, on our website and in the council book in library.

2024 Lenten Devotional Book! If you are interested in sharing your writing or artwork as part of our printed Lenten Devotional book this year, please contact Pr. Carrie. Submissions will be due by February 1 in order to have ready to hand out on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Lenten Mentor Program—Our confirmation students will be meeting with mentors during the Wednesdays of Lent. Pastor Carrie is looking for adults who are willing to meet to talk with them during soup suppers and then worship together at the Lenten Mid-Week worship services.  Mentors will be provided discussion guides and support. This is a time to build intergenerational relationships and learn from each other. If you are interested in ministering in this way, please reach out to Pastor Carrie. Thank you!

At St. Paul Lutheran, First Communion instruction can be done at any time and any age. It is left to the discretion of the parents as when they would like this to happen in their child's life. During the upcoming Lenten season, we will offer a time of learning in preparation for anyone who chooses to have first communion during our Maundy Thursday worship of Holy Week on March 28. If you are interested in having a child participate, please contact Pastor Carrie. Mark the following dates on your calendar. (if you have a conflict with a date please reach out to talk about alternatives.)

Learning Times: Sundays, March 3 and 17 at 10:30 a.m. Celebration of First Communion, Maundy Thursday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.

Please join us for a Senior Group Interest Meeting!

THIS Wednesday, January 31

at 11:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

If you have any questions please talk to Carole England,

or call the church office at 651-462-5212.

Our little walker has taken another step! Every $2000 received he/she gets to take another step over the bridge!

Bega Kwa Bega means "shoulder to shoulder" in the kiswahili language of Tanzania and is also the name of the ministry of the Saint Paul Area Synod that serves our brothers and sisters in the Iringa Dioces of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. This portion of our ReFresh and ReNews newsletter provides a weekly update of news and events related both to the events of Bega Kwa Bega as well as our own partner parishes. As we strive to continue building our partnership and relationship with Mtera and Migoli parishes, it will be helpful to stay informed of what Bega Kwa Bega, their affiliates, and other partnering congregations within the Saint Paul Area Synod are doing.

St. Paul Lutheran is excited that sixteen of our members will be traveling to Tanzania in July 2024 to visit our partner parishes and learn more about the Iringa Diocese. Our travelers are: Pastors Dale and Carrie, Steve and Carole England, The Clark family, The Kroschel family, Katie Edwards, Arlie Post, and Will and Katie Fetterly. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to prepare for their trip.

Here's the link to the latest BKB's weekly newsletter. Please read and share!

Next meeting is February 19 at 12:30 p.m.

The Humble Bees will meet the third Monday (12:30 p.m.) of every month.

This group welcomes all experienced and inexperienced quilters or sewers. A great opportunity for learning, teaching, mission, outreach, and fellowship.

Contact the church office, or talk to Wendy Krona with questions. Bring a friend!

It’s your friendly nurse’s here to talk about a new topic this week, do you have a burning health care question or a topic you want more information about? Please let Jaime or Joanna know and we will add to the Nurse’s corner!

Perhaps you’re a Vikings fan and have been following Josh Dobb’s story. If so, you know that he has alopecia areata. This is a disease that causes your immune system to attack your hair follicles and causes hair loss. For some, it only creates patches of hair loss. For others, it can cause complete baldness, along with loss of eyebrows and eye lashes. It can also create nail changes like tiny dents, brittle nails, or crumbling. For some people, the hair will regrow without treatment. For others, it will come and go over time, and for others it doesn’t grow back. It often develops in the childhood or teen years. Dermatologists can prescribe a variety of treatments, including corticosteroids and minoxidil (Rogaine). Since stress is a key trigger for autoimmune diseases, keeping stress levels low can prevent or reduce cycles of hair loss. Wigs, hair pieces, and scalp prosthesis can be worn to hide hair loss.

We are blessed to have knowledgeable, caring nurses in our congregation.

If you have questions for Joanna or Jaime, call the main office

This summer’s VBS theme is Scuba – diving into friendship with God.

To help bring our stage to life with coral reefs, sea anemones, barnacles, jellyfish, and more,

we’re looking for some supplies to help in our creativity. The senior high youth will be working

on these sea creatures on Wednesday evenings. The following donations are needed:

Empty 2 liter bottles

Plastic bottle caps, all sizes

Packing peanuts

Empty paper towel rolls and wrapping paper rolls

Coffee filters

Colored cupcake liners

Colored straws of all kinds, straight, bendy, and thin coffee style stir sticks

Wooden dowels

Wooden skewers

Large plastic bowls from the dollar store

Foam half balls

White pipe cleaners

Neon hard plastic 9 ounce cups

10 inch wide roll of mesh ribbon – pink, yellow, or green

Curling ribbon, satin ribbon, tulle in variety of colors

Colored sponges

Clear shower caps

Bath loofahs

Clear umbrellas

Great stuff

Primer spray paint

3 bright colors of spray paint

Pool noodles

2024 Weekly

General Fund Offering Received

$11,189.75

2024 Weekly

General Fund Offering

Budgeted

TBD

Over / (Under) Budgeted General Fund Offering

TBD

2024

Total Revenue Received

$12,255.75

2024

Total Revenue Budgeted

TBD

Over / (Under) Budgeted Total Revenue Budgeted

TBD

Year End Totals 2023

Total Expenses (before mortgage): $245,963

Total Expenses (after mortgage): $309,899

Net Revenue (after mortgage payment):$102

Mortgage Balance: $198,179

Edward Jones Balance: $40,999

The Total Revenue received includes ALL revenue received by SPLC.

General Fund Revenue is the portion of Total Revenue Received through

undesignated offerings from members and guests.

Please contact our Church Council Treasurer, Chris Timmons, with any questions.

Click the purple button to give now using our newly updated and improved electronic giving page, still powered by Vanco. You can set up a one time or recurring gift. Thank you!

Sunday, January 28

Worship, 9:00 a.m. 

Annual Congregational Mtg, 10:00 a.m. (Potluck to follow)

Vocal Choir Rehearsal, 6:00 p.m. 

Bell Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 p.m. 

Monday, January 29

Boy Scouts, 6:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, January 30

Faith Club Book Discussion, 1:00 p.m.

Cub Scouts, 6:00 p.m.  

Wednesday, January 31

Senior Group Interest Meeting, 11:30 a.m. 

Adult Bible Study, 1:00 p.m. 

The Table, 5:30 p.m. 

Sunday, February 4

Worship, 9:00 a.m. 

Vocal Choir Rehearsal, 10:30 a.m.

Tanzania Trip Meeting, 10:30 a.m.

Bell Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 p.m.