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A Message from Pastor Dale and Pastor Carrie
What a week!
Our church was filled with so much energy, joy, and the love of Jesus during our True North Vacation Bible School, where we learned how to Trust Jesus in a Wild World.
Our sanctuary, music room, library, narthex, fellowship hall, and outdoor spaces were alive with music, laughter, learning, food and the faith-filled voices of children learning, growing, playing, and praying together.
Each day, our kids journeyed alongside a different “Bible Buddy” who helped us remember that we can trust Jesus in all kinds of situations, whether life feels uncertain, unfair, changing, sad, or good. They sang with joy, made really cool crafts, played teamwork-building games, experienced powerful Bible stories, tried fun science experiments, and reflected on God Sightings throughout their day. It was a full week of fun and faith in action.
Now, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to the many people who made this week possible:
To our amazing middle school and high school youth helpers, thank you for your energy, leadership, and the kindness you showed to our youngest learners. To our dedicated adult volunteers, thank you for giving your time, creativity, and faith to every craft table, snack station, storytelling moment, and game. And to the children and families who participated, thank you for bringing your hearts, your curiosity, and your joy. You made this week pretty amazing.
Most importantly, we are grateful to God for a safe and Spirit-filled week, and especially for the gift of watching our young people learn to share Christ’s love with joy. They are not just the future of the church, they are already leading us today.
If you haven't already, you can view photos of our exciting week of VBS on our church facebook page.
Reminder: We’re planning to worship outdoors this Sunday with special music led by our guest band, Cornerstone! We’ll be keeping an eye on the weather and will make a final call Saturday evening if we need to move indoors.
As part of Pastor Carrie’s sermon, our friend Kim Shoop will be sharing a powerful testimony about her journey through grief following the sudden death of her husband, Brian, in March 2024.
After worship, stick around for root beer floats and fellowship. We hope you’ll join us, and feel free to bring a friend!
See you in Church!
Pastor Dale and Pastor Carrie
| | Outdoor Worship – This Sunday with Cornerstone! | | We’re heading outside for worship again next Sunday, June 29, at 9:00 a.m. and we’d love for you to join us! We gather at our outdoor amphitheater, surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. We’re excited to welcome back our guest worship band, Cornerstone, for a joyful morning of music and praise. Bring a lawn chair, camping chair, or blanket to get comfy. And why not invite a friend to come along? It’s the perfect Sunday to share worship, fresh air, and community together. All are welcome! | | The June 2025 Church Council Minutes are available here, on our website and in the church council book in the library. | | |
Help Us Build and Strengthen Our Church Community Even More!
As part of our 2025 Strategic Ministry Goals, Hopes, and Dreams shaped during the Church Council’s recent Spring Council Planning Retreat, we’re excited to create two new ministry teams. These teams are part of our effort to revitalize the work of current and former committees and reengage the congregation in meaningful ministry.
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Hospitality Team – Help us maintain a warm and welcoming environment for all (especially visitors and new members), plan fellowship events, coordinate community outreach, and integrate new members into the life of the congregation. Specific duties will include efforts like marketing, visitor follow-up, evaluate current use of space, community involvement, occasional use of name tags, and provide printed welcoming/promotional materials.
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Congregational Care Team – Dedicated to spiritual care of all members including for those in times of need through visits, calls, cards, meals, prayer, and more. This team will include and continue the important work and ministry of our Prayer Team, Humble Bees, Parish Nurses, and Spiritual Direction groups, while also exploring new ways to care for the spiritual and emotional well-being of the whole congregation.
If you’re interested in serving in either of these ways or want to learn more, please contact Pastor Carrie, Pastor Dale, or Council President Christina Fashner. We’d love to have you join us in these important ministries!
| | Our weekly Adult Bible Study has shifted to once a month for the summer. Join us next on Tuesday, July 8, and Tuesday, August 12, from 12:00–2:00 p.m. We’ll share a potluck lunch as part of our study and fellowship. Mark your calendars, bring a dish, and invite a friend. All are welcome! | | "From Mortgage to Mission!" Let's Finish Strong! | | |
St. Paul Lutheran’s 2025 Mortgage Payoff Appeal is moving forward with strong momentum, and we have much to celebrate. Thanks to the generosity of many, $75,000 has already been raised toward our $100,000 goal to retire the remaining balance on our church mortgage by year’s end. That’s 75% of the way there!
A renewed subtitle of the appeal is "From Mortgage to Mission," because this effort is about more than paying off a loan. It’s about unlocking new opportunities for ministry and growth as we look toward the future, including long-term dreams for evangelism, programming, worship, and outreach as we move beyond redevelopment.
Currently, 41 of our 83 member households have made a one-time gift. With continued participation from the wider church community, whether first-time gifts or renewed contributions, we can confidently reach and exceed our goal together.
There are multiple ways to give:
Online: Click on orange button below
Check or cash: Drop off in the church office or place in the Sunday offering
Pledge: Indicate an amount to be given later this year
See Gift Giving Chart below to help determine your level of gift. To learn more about this appeal and the future it supports, click here.
Together, let’s finish strong, and move from mortgage to mission.
| | True North VBS- THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS | | Thank You for a Wild and Wonderful VBS Week! This past week, our church was filled with energy, laughter, music, and the love of God as we welcomed children to True North VBS: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World! It was a joy to watch our kids grow in faith through Bible stories, games, snacks, crafts, science, and song. A heartfelt thank you to all of the amazing adult and youth volunteers who made this week possible with their time, creativity, and care. Your dedication brought joy and meaning to every moment. And thank you to the children and youth who attended, your enthusiasm and faith inspires us all! | | | H.E.A.L @ S.P.L.C. - A GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP | | |
H.E.A.L. (Hope and Encouragement After Loss) is an ongoing grief support group at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
This group is for anyone navigating the challenges of loss, offering a safe space for compassion, support, and unconditional acceptance. Whether your loss is recent or in the past, you are welcome to join us as we journey together toward healing.
We look forward to walking this path of hope and encouragement with you.
Find out more.
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Our "Bridge the Gap: Two Years of Renewed Mission & Ministry" appeal and learning series is underway!
We've made incredible progress over the past three years and are moving steadily out of redevelopment. But we need your help to complete the journey! Our four key goals are to:
1️⃣ Increase membership by 30% (Our new member group on April 27 will put us over our goal—a full five months ahead of schedule!)
2️⃣ Boost general fund offerings by 5% (We did it!)
3️⃣ Match our generous anonymous gift of $30K (We did it nine months early!)
4️⃣ Achieve debt freedom with mortgage payoff (To pay off by end of 2025. We're 70% there!)
Join us in helping Bridge the Gap at St. Paul Lutheran and be a part of our renewed mission and ministry!
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2025 Weekly
General Fund Offering Received
$99,579.61
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2025 Weekly
General Fund Offering
Budgeted
$120,233.94
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Over / (Under) Budgeted General Fund Offering
$(20,654.33)
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2025
Total Revenue Received
$156,705.60
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2025
Total Revenue Budgeted
$147,786.04
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Over / (Under) Budgeted Total Revenue Budgeted
$8,919.56
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Monthly Totals (as of 05/31/2025)
Total Expenses (before mortgage): $122,044
Total Expenses (after mortgage): $187,889
Net Revenue (after mortgage payment): -$6,775
Mortgage Balance: $67,247
Edward Jones Balance: $54,761
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, June 29
Guest Band—Cornerstone
Outdoor Worship, 9:00 a.m.
Monday, June 30
Boy Scout, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 1
Church Council, 5:30 p.m.
Cub Scouts, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, July 4
Office Closed
Sunday, July 6
Indoor Worship, 9:00 a.m.
LOOKING AHEAD
July 8, August 12—Adult Bible Study & Potluck, 12:00 p.m.
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St. Paul Lutheran Church
651-462-5212
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