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A Message from Pastor Carrie
On Wednesday night at The Table, we talked about when Jesus went into the wilderness, where he was met with three different temptations. The first was food after fasting for 40 days. The second was at the top of Jerusalem, where Satan challenged him to test God by throwing himself down, and the third was power, possibly the most tempting of them all.
It has been a hard few days in what continues to be a challenging time to figure out how to live as Jesus' followers. I know that for me, I am not sure how to deal with my own grief, anger, frustration, and deep sense of helplessness. I wonder about Jesus’ feelings as he was tempted over and over again. What did Jesus do in those moments when all the feelings must have felt so overpowering? He turned to the words he knew, the words of Scripture that he would have memorized as a young boy, words that provided him strength and hope in what was a true wilderness time.
The death of 37 year old Renee Good, shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday, feels like a deep wilderness time. How to walk forward as followers of Jesus in this time feels very unknown. So tonight, Thursday night, I am lighting a candle, breathing deeply, and trying to do what Jesus did. I will lean on words from the ancient prophet Isaiah and from the Gospel of John.
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth
and thick darkness the peoples,
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Isaiah 60:1–3
In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it.
John 1:4–5
Last Saturday evening, Pastor Dale and I attended a candlelight vigil to honor the life of Andrea Merrell, the security guard killed in the parking lot at Fairview Wyoming Hospital. Tomorrow night, we will be gathering again, this time at the State Capitol, with others who are struggling with grief, anger, frustration, helplessness, and any other variety of emotions, to be reminded that we are light together as we lift up Renee.
An author I love, Kate Bowler, said in a video on Thursday that there is power in each little thing we do together. So today, I will take Jesus’ example and breathe in these sacred words and take small steps to share that light with others. If you are interested in joining us and others throughout our Synod and state tomorrow night, below is the information we have received from the Synod.
Peace,
Pastor Carrie
| | Join us on Sunday, January 25, immediately following worship, for our Annual Congregational Meeting, with a potluck lunch to follow. In accordance with our church constitution, the written Congregational Report will be available two weeks in advance, this Sunday, January 11. All are encouraged to attend as we gather to celebrate God’s work among us and look ahead with hope to the year to come. | | |
Come to The Table—This Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. We’ll begin with a shared meal, followed by worship and intergenerational learning around The Table. Together we’ll eat, sing, and grow in faith, just as Jesus so often did with his followers. This week, our focus will be Matthew 7:1–14, 24–29, where Jesus teaches about judgment, discernment, and the importance of building our lives on a solid foundation. Children, youth, and adults will gather in age-specific groups: The Kids’ Table (up to 3rd grade), SPLASH (4th–6th grade), Mindfulness with Jesus (7th–12th grade), and Adult Study. All are welcome. Come as you are and pull up a chair at The Table.
| | Sunday, January 18. We will welcome new members into the life of our congregation during worship on Sunday, January 18. Long or short-time visitors and friends of the church are especially encouraged to take this step and officially join the congregation. All are invited to help spread the word and encourage friends, family members, and neighbors to consider visiting, and perhaps joining, our church community. Preparation to join is simple and includes a short orientation meeting with the pastors and other interested new members. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Dale or Pastor Carrie. Those being received as new members do not need to be present in worship that day to be officially welcomed. | | BLESSING OF OUR NEW PRAYER WALL | | |
We are excited to celebrate the blessing of our new Prayer Wall in the Prayer Room during worship on Sunday, January 25.
This beautiful and meaningful addition to our church was lovingly crafted by one of our members, Jaime Hyrkas, who shared his talent and heart to create a unique space and opportunity for prayer for our entire congregation.
Modeled after the Western “Wailing Wall” in Jerusalem and inspired by the prayer wall at the Meadows on Fairview Assisted Living in Wyoming, Jaime used a variety of woods, some from our old church pews, some from our old church mailboxes, and some given by his late friend and beloved member, Bill Oswald, to create a colorful, thoughtfully designed wooden wall.
Just as visitors to the Western “Wailing Wall” place written prayers into the cracks of the stones, we invite you, anytime on Sunday or during the week, to write your prayers on the paper provided in the Prayer Room and place them into one of the spaces on the wall. Periodically, a member of our Prayer Team or one of the pastors will lift these prayers up in prayer before they are removed.
Come and see this special new place for connection, reflection, and prayer, and make plans to join us as we bless this gift to our congregation!
| | WINTER COAT AND CLOTHING DRIVE | | We are collecting gently used or new warm winter clothing to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness through the Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul. Coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, and other cold-weather items are greatly needed and will be distributed directly to those in need. Donations may be placed in the basket in the narthex. For questions, please contact the church office or Dave and Mary Haselbauer. Thank you for helping share warmth this winter. | | |
ENGAGE: Lutherans! A Monthly Worship & Learning Series
Six special Sundays during the school year have been planned, when worship will highlight what it means to be an E.L.C.A. Lutheran, followed by 30–45 minutes of learning for all ages.
The six core Lutheran themes that shape our faith and life together will explore a central “both/and” truth of our tradition.
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Sunday, January 11 – Saints and Sinners - As Lutherans we confess we are both saints and sinners, redeemed by Christ, yet still in need of daily forgiveness.
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Sunday, February 15 – Cross and Resurrection - At the cross we see God’s love revealed in weakness, and in the resurrection we trust God’s promise of new life.
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Sunday, April 12 – Law and Gospel - God’s Word both convicts us in our sin (Law) and frees us with the promise of grace (Gospel).
After worship, groups will gather by age: Wild Faith for Littles (birth–5 and parents), Wild Explorers (K–4th grade), 5th–6th graders as helpers and leaders, and Confirmation Vitality (7th–9th grade).
Whether or not you can join Wednesday nights, ENGAGE is another great way on Sunday mornings for kids, youth, and parents to connect and grow in faith together.
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Our men’s group for learning, fellowship, and service meets again on Saturday, January 10 at 9:00 a.m.
We’ll start with coffee, treats, a short devotion, and prayer, followed by more hands-on work that can be on your own or together in groups.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fellowship, lend a hand, and serve together. All are welcome to join The 3G Crew!
For more information, talk with Pastor Dale, Myron Carpenter, or Steve Greseth.
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Our quilting and sewing group, the Humble Bees, meets on the second Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at church.
No experience is necessary, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to quilt or sew, share your skills, or simply enjoy time together in fellowship. Whether you’re an experienced quilter, a beginner, or just curious, you are invited to join the group. And bring a friend!
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Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that affects how a person moves. It usually starts slowly, and the symptoms get worse over time. People with Parkinson’s may shake, have stiff muscles, or move more slowly than before.
The main cause of Parkinson’s disease is the loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. These nerve cells make a chemical called dopamine, which helps send messages in the brain that control movement. When these cells die, the brain can’t send signals properly, making it hard to move smoothly.
No one knows exactly what causes Parkinson’s disease. Some people might get it because of their genes, and others because of things around them, like certain chemicals or injuries. Most people get Parkinson’s when they are older, usually after 60 years old. It is a little more common in men than in women.
Parkinson’s disease can make people’s hands shake, their muscles stiff, and it can slow down their movement. These problems often start on one side of the body and then spread. People might also have trouble keeping their balance, which can make them fall more easily. Other ways Parkinson’s can affect people include feeling sad, having trouble sleeping, feeling tired, and having a hard time remembering things. Sometimes, it can be hard for doctors to know someone has Parkinson’s because these problems might start slowly.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease yet, but there are ways to help people feel better. Doctors can give medicine that helps add or copy the dopamine that is missing in the brain. One common medicine is called levodopa, which works well for many people. Some people also use other medicines, and things like exercise, physical therapy, or speech therapy can help with things like walking or talking. For some people, doctors might suggest an operation called deep brain stimulation (DBS) if medicine does not work well enough.
Even though living with Parkinson’s disease can be hard, many people still do lots of things they enjoy. Scientists are always working to find better ways to treat Parkinson’s and hope to discover a cure one day. Getting help early, having a good plan, and being around friends and family can make things easier for people who have Parkinson’s disease.
It is important for everyone to learn about Parkinson’s disease. When more people know about it, they can help others feel better and understand what they are going through. With more research and people working together, there is hope for new treatments and a better life for those living with Parkinson’s.
We are blessed to have knowledgeable, caring nurses in our congregation. If you have any questions for Joanna or Jamie, call the church office at 651-462-5212.
| | BRIDGE THE GAP - FINAL UPDATE! | | |
Joyful News! All Four Goals Achieved!
Bridge the Gap: Two Years of Renewed Mission & Ministry
With gratitude and great joy, we celebrate that all four goals of our Bridge the Gap appeal have been reached, and many ahead of schedule! God has been at work in powerful ways through your generosity, prayers, and commitment to the mission we share.
Here’s what we’ve accomplished together:
1️⃣ Increase membership by 30% - Our new member group on April 27 put us over our goal five months early!
2️⃣ Boost general fund offerings by 5% - Goal achieved, reaching so far, a potential 16% increase for 2026 (potentially more if all pledge cards are returned!)
3️⃣ Match the generous $30,000 anonymous gift - Mission accomplished nine months early!
4️⃣ Become debt-free with mortgage payoff - $100,000 received as of November 23, 2025 to pay off mortgage by year end!
We rejoice in what God has done among us and look forward with hope to the ministry ahead.
Thank you for your faith, your generosity, and your shared mission.
Thanks be to God!
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**No New Numbers Until Next Week, Due to Year End Calculation**
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2025 Weekly
General Fund Offering Received
$202,312.31
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2025 Weekly
General Fund Offering
Budgeted
$250,923.00
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Over / (Under) Budgeted General Fund Offering
$(48,610.69)
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2025
Total Revenue Received
$288,715.95
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2025
Total Revenue Budgeted
$295,572.04
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Over / (Under) Budgeted Total Revenue Budgeted
$(6,856.09)
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Monthly Totals (as of 11/30/2025)
Total Expenses (before mortgage): $254,101
Total Expenses (after mortgage): $312,709
Net Revenue (after mortgage payment): $15,630
Mortgage Balance: $31,094
Edward Jones Balance: $61,563
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, Andy Buccanero or
our Bookkeeper, Chris Timmons, with any questions.
| | GIVE NOW! ELECTRONICALLY! | | 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 11
ENGAGE: Worship—Saints & Sinners
Worship, 9:00 a.m.
Wild Faith & Wild Explorers, After Worship
Vocal Choir Rehearsal, 6:00 p.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 12
Boy Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 13
Adult Bible Study, 1:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 14
The Table, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 15
H.E.A.L. Group, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 17
Food Truck, 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, January 18
Worship, 9:00 a.m.
Vocal Choir Rehearsal, 6:00 p.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 p.m.
LOOKING AHEAD
Sunday, January 25 - Annual Congregational Meeting & Potluck
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St. Paul Lutheran Church
651-462-5212
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