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A Message from Our Pastors
On May 29, the Church Property Vision Team held its second meeting to continue prayerful and thoughtful conversations about the potential future use of our church’s undeveloped land. They are still very early in the process, but their recent meeting continued to center around several promising development ideas proposed by Ecumen, a well-respected, faith-based (E.L.C.A.) nonprofit with a strong track record in senior housing.
The types of developments under discussion include various models of senior living communities, ranging from independent 55+ apartments to a full continuum of care (age-in-place) facility. Each concept offers its own set of benefits and challenges, and the Team was especially drawn to those that might allow for meaningful connection with the mission and ministry of our church - one that values community and seeks to share Christ's love with joy.
At this point, they are expressing cautious excitement and hopeful curiosity. They have asked Ecumen for more detailed information about the options they're most interested in, including whether some ideas can be blended. They've also agreed that, if a partnered development were to move forward, the church's preference would be to sell the land outright rather than donate it, lease it, or enter into a co-development arrangement.
It's important to note that Ecumen has already begun its initial due diligence with the City of Wyoming to explore the need and feasibility of a potential development. We’re grateful that our own Church Treasurer, Andy Bucannero, who also serves on the City of Wyoming’s Economic Development Authority Committee, has assured us that the City is supportive of this kind of proposed development.
The next step for the Team will be to conduct a S.W.O.T. analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to help discern the best path forward, with Wendy Hazard facilitating the process. The Team has been keeping the Church Council informed after each meeting. If interest continues to align between Ecumen and St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Team will present a recommendation to the Council. Should the Council approve, a special Congregational Meeting would be called to vote on whether to move forward with a Pre-Development Agreement with Ecumen. Specific congregational input would then be welcomed throughout the pre-development phase, with opportunities for engagement provided through scheduled meetings facilitated by Ecumen. Note too, that there is no timeline in place at time.
Please continue to hold this process in your prayers as we seek to know and follow God’s will and discern how our land might serve not only our congregation but also our wider community.
You can read a full summary of the Team's second meeting on our website.
On another note, we look forward to celebrating with you, the Holy Spirit and our graduates, this coming Pentecost Sunday!
See you in Church! Wear red! (and bring a friend!)
Pastor Dale and Pastor Carrie
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Worship, Sunday, June 8 - Pentecost & Graduate Recognition Sunday
9:00 a.m. Indoor Worship
View Order of Worship
In-person and streamed live on our Church Facebook Page.
We hope to see you there! Bring a friend!
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Everyone is invited to our Campfire & S'mores nights, Thursday evenings in June, starting June 12 at 6:00 p.m.!
We’ll gather around the fire for music, fellowship, and fun.
Pastor Dale will play guitar, Pastor Carrie will lead a short devotion for all ages, and of course, we’ll end the evening with s’mores for everyone to enjoy.
Bring a lawn chair and a friend—all are welcome. We’ll meet in front of the amphitheater.
| | GRADUATE RECOGNITION SUNDAY - JUNE 8 | | |
Join us on THIS Sunday, June 8, as we celebrate and honor our graduates during worship!
This year, we give thanks for two of our own: Kristina Stoyke, graduating from Forest Lake High School, and Lucas Byl Carlson, graduating from Luther Seminary.
If you have a family member or friend who is also graduating this spring, from any level or program, we’d be happy to include their name in our prayers that day. Please contact the church office to let us know.
We are proud of all our graduates and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments together!
| | SUMMER ADULT BIBLE STUDY UPDATE | | As we move into the summer season, our weekly Adult Bible Study will shift to a once-a-month gathering, beginning Tuesday, June 10. We’ll meet from 12:00–2:00 p.m. and enjoy a potluck lunch together as part of our time of study and fellowship. Additional summer dates include Tuesdays, July 8 and August 12. Mark your calendars, bring a dish to share, 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, over $73,000 has already been raised toward our $100,000 goal to retire the remaining balance on our church mortgage by year’s end. That’s 73% 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, 40 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.
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JUNE 23 - 27
Vacation Bible School at St. Paul Lutheran!
At True North, our kids will discover what it means to trust Jesus in a wild world!
Kids will participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible Adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of Jesus’ love, and test out sciency-fun experiments they’ll never forget. Plus, they’ll learn to look for evidence of God all around them through God Sightings. Each day will conclude with a Compass Closing, bringing everyone together to live out what they’ve learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join us daily for this special time!
🌲 Help Support VBS! 🌲
We now have a donation list available on the bulletin board in the narthex.
Each needed donation is listed on a cutout of a pine tree—just take a tree, return it with the listed items, and place donations beneath the bulletin board. Thank you for helping make VBS an amazing experience for our kids!
Click here to register today!
Find Out More!
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VBS Decorating
If you are interested in helping decorate the church for VBS on the following days,
please contact Joanna.
Friday, June 6
Sunday, June 8
Monday, June 9
Sunday, June 15
| | 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
$92,002.87
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2025 Weekly
General Fund Offering
Budgeted
$104,551.25
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Over / (Under) Budgeted General Fund Offering
$(12,548.38)
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2025
Total Revenue Received
$148,009.01
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2025
Total Revenue Budgeted
$134,935.08
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Over / (Under) Budgeted Total Revenue Budgeted
$13,073.93
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Monthly Totals (as of 03/31/2025)
Total Expenses (before mortgage): $72,652
Total Expenses (after mortgage): $119,490
Net Revenue (after mortgage payment): $4,604
Mortgage Balance: $95,072
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 8
Pentecost/ Graduate Recognition Sunday
Indoor Worship , 9:00 a.m.
Monday, June 9
The Humble Bees, 12:30 p.m.
Boy Scout, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10
Adult Bible Study/Potluck, 12:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts, 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 12
Campfire & S’mores, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 15
Father’s Day & Root Beer Floats
Outdoor Worship, 9:00 a.m.
LOOKING AHEAD
June 12, 19, 26—Campfire & S’mores, 6:00 p.m.
June 23-27— “True North” Vacation Bible School
July 8 & August 12—Adult Bible Study & Potluck
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St. Paul Lutheran Church
651-462-5212
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