A Message from Pastor Carrie

From Sunday to Tuesday this week, Pastor Dale and I were in Brainerd for the Synod's Fall Theological Conference. The conference is organized by our synod staff and a planning team. It offers a keynote speaker to challenge us, time to renew or make new connections with colleagues, and ample opportunities to worship and breathe together. It was holy time, and Gull Lake and trees turning color didn’t hurt!

Our keynote speaker this year was Rev. Dr. Brian Konkol, president of Valparaiso University, an ELCA college in Indiana. He spoke on the theme “From Moments to Momentum: A Future with Hope,” drawing on his experience during his first nine months as president of Valparaiso, where he began leading the university following a decade of declining enrollment.

He began by talking with us about CRISIS and HOPE. He noted that, while he doesn’t like how it sounds, every crisis presents an opportunity. Failure isn’t the crisis; missing the opportunity is.

As humans, we are creatures of habit. We like certain things done in certain ways because they feel comfortable, they’re nostalgic, and they take less energy to think about. Habits are important. They are among the things that have helped humanity survive for thousands of years.

Habits can also stifle creativity and innovation, even in our relationship with God. Rev. Konkol wasn’t suggesting that we throw out beloved hymns or completely rewrite our constitution. However, it is important to ask why when we think about our habits. As a congregation and as the wider church, we need to think about why we do the things we do.

He shared nine “Habits to Practice Hope (Even in the Midst of Crisis)”:

1. Stop hoping for a better past. (Wow, this one is hard!)
2. Be kind, anyway.
3. Replace “but” with “and.” (This sounds like a Ted Lasso quote I used in a recent sermon!)
4. Be a role model, not a role mirror.
5. Call people in instead of calling people out. Be curious and wonder rather than judge. Again, there’s a great example of this from Ted Lasso!
6. Choose joy! He referenced The Book of Joy by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the 14th Dalai Lama.
7. Express gratitude.
8. Forgive and let go. (Resentment corrodes its container.)
9. Pay attention to good news!

Which ones do you like? Are there others you would add? Which ones do we do well as a congregation? Which ones do we need to pay more attention to?

St. Paul Lutheran is a congregation that has moved through crisis. Now we are dreaming of new habits and wondering about some old ones. Honestly, what congregation, workplace, or even family doesn’t experience a crisis at some point? How might these nine “Habits to Practice Hope” continue to shape who we are as God’s people?

Isn’t it true that habits 1–8 are important ways of living that move us toward habit #9: paying attention to the Good News? Isn’t that what we are all about? The gospel Jesus came to earth to proclaim invites us into a way of living that is different from the messages of the world.

Today, pick a habit that calls to you. Pay attention to it. Wonder about it. See how it calls you closer to habit #9, the Good News!

I offer you a breath prayer to use this week as you reflect on the habit you have chosen. A breath prayer is a simple prayer to repeat as you pay attention to your breathing, using one phrase as you breathe in and another as you breathe out. You can choose how long to pray, even setting a timer for the time you choose.

Breathe in: God of Hope, you know what I need.

Breathe out: Give me grace to [practice your chosen habit].

See you in church! (And bring a friend!)

Pastor Carrie

Sunday, October 18, 2026

View Order of Worship

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

We hope to see you there! Bring a friend!

It’s that time of year again!

All are invited to help provide educational opportunities for the school-aged children of our Tanzanian partners in Mtera and Migoli by sponsoring a student for one full year of school.

A full-year scholarship is $450, but you don’t have to do it alone! Individuals, families, or groups of friends and families can combine their gifts to provide full or partial tuition for a student.

Last year, the generosity of our congregation provided nearly $6,000 in scholarship funds, enabling us to sponsor 12 students for an entire year of school. What a wonderful way to share Christ’s love across the world!

All sponsorship gifts need to be received by Sunday, November 1.

Thank you for prayerfully considering participating in this meaningful ministry. Your generosity makes a lasting difference in the lives of our Tanzanian partners and their children!

ROOTED. GROWING. REACHING.

Something Exciting Is Taking Root Among Us!

Our Rooted. Growing. Reaching. five-week stewardship journey begins next Sunday, October 25!

We’ll kick things off with ROOTED: Where Has God Planted Us? as we reflect on the people, place, and ministries that provide a foundation for our life together in Christ. 

Information about the journey and a detailed schedule should have arrived in your mail this week.

Find out more by clicking here.

ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) Group. Join us on Saturday, October 24, from 9:00–11:00 a.m. for a morning of card making as we create cards to share kindness and encouragement with others. Questions? Please talk with Deb Cowing.

Fall Festival—SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your calendar for our annual Fall Festival on Wednesday, October 28!

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join us for a Chili Cook-Off Contest, caramel apple bar, fall crafts, games, and the Barron of Bubbles, back by popular demand!

This fun event is an annual partnership with our Discovery Center.

Interested in helping? Talk to Pr. Carrie!

All Saints Sunday is November 1, 2026.

We have three saints who have passed away since All Saints Sunday 2025 - Ellsworth Larson, Allan DeWolf and John Peterson.



As we remember them with the lighting of candles and tolling of the bell, we invite you (if you have one) to bring your Heartly Bear from Mattson Funeral Home to worship on All Saints Sunday. We will display the bears as part of our remembrance and celebration of the saints in our lives.

All will be invited to light candles in memory of their own saints who have gone before us following Holy Communion.

The Church Council is offering a preliminary 2027 Congregational Budget Meeting this Sunday, October 18, immediately following worship. Council Treasurer, Chris Timmons, will lead this meeting. A handout of the budget draft will be available on the information table in the narthex starting this Sunday.

Fall Blood Drive, Friday, November 6 - The American Red Cross is offering another opportunity to give the gift of life right here at St. Paul Lutheran!

Join us on Friday, November 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to donate blood and make a difference in someone's life.

To schedule your appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter St Paul Lutheran in the search field.

Volunteers Needed! Our blood drive depends on the volunteers to make it happen. If you can lend a hand, please sign up on the sheet located on the table in the narthex or contact Melissa in the church office.

Join us at The Table on Wednesday Nights. Supper for all ages and families will be served from 5:45–6:15 p.m., with Joyful Noise children’s choir and Confirmation to follow. Supper this week will be egg bake and ham.

Join us on Thursday, October 29 from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. for White Elephant Bingo!

Bring one item from around your house that you no longer need or want. Please do not purchase anything new. Bring a snack to share, and popcorn will be provided. Come ready for some bingo, laughs and fun!

Zion Community Dinner, Monday November 9. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a meaningful service project! On Monday, November 9, we’ll be volunteering again at the Zion Lutheran Community Meal in Chisago City, where we’ll help serve and connect with members of the community. Our group has been asked to provide 16 dozen desserts, and a meal will be provided for all volunteers. Please remember to wear a hat! We’ll meet at Zion Lutheran Church at 3:30 p.m. A sign-up sheet is available on the table in the narthex, be sure to add your name!

For more information on both events, talk to Carole England.

You are reminded that a Prayer Wall has been created in our Prayer Room as a sacred space to remember loved ones and honor those who have served. This beautiful wall, built by Jamie Hyrkas with faith, love, and prayer, serves as a lasting reminder that we hold one another in prayer.

You are invited to request the name of a deceased loved one to be added to the Prayer Wall. Requested names will be engraved monthly, creating a continuing place of remembrance, faith, and hope within our church. When we lift up our loved ones in prayer, we keep their memory alive.

Thank you for helping us create a wall that reflects the power of prayer and the strength we find when we pray together. Instructions for requesting a name to be added are available on handouts in the Prayer Room or by contacting Melissa in the Church Office.

Fall Quilt Raffle Begins THIS Sunday, October 18!

This year, we have three beautiful quilts available to win.

Raffle proceeds will once again support college scholarships for graduating seniors in our congregation. Sponsored by our St. Paul Lutheran Humble Bees Quilting & Sewing Group.

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!

October is ADHD Awareness Month

October is ADHD month, this awareness month was created in 2004. Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, commonly shortened to ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder,

meaning a brain-based condition, that affects a person’s ability to maintain attention, regulate activity levels, and control impulses.

Boys are about 2-3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. There is no one test for diagnosing ADHD and often people are diagnosed with another mental health issue. For people with ADHD, these challenges are ongoing and can interfere with daily life.

ADHD or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopment disorders in childhood. The overall message for 2026 is sharing accurate information, elevating lived experience, fostering connection, and promoting access to

support across the lifespan. Symptoms usually start in childhood and may last into adulthood.

According to CHADD this affects about 11% of children. These children often have trouble concentrating or have trouble sitting still and often have poor impulse control (CDC). These can lead to trouble in school, home, or with friends. Risk factors can include genetics, low birth weight,

alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, exposure to pesticides or lead as a young child, child health conditions that can include head injuries, and environment.

Treatment is usually a combination of behavior therapy and medications. Some healthy habits that help people include healthy eating- lean proteins with fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Physical exercise, limiting screen time, and recommended amounts of sleep are recommended as well. This disorder often follows people in adulthood, about 75% of people who are diagnosed with ADHD continue to show symptoms. However if given the right tools people are often able to work with these symptoms and use to their advantage and sometimes embrace their differences. ADHD is described as affecting people across the lifespan and this means not only that people of all ages have this disorder but also that finding tools to work with the disorder are very important.

Finding support is vitally important to people- this looks different for everyone as evidenced in the Many Faces, but some sites to visit to see help are CHAAD , WHO and the CDC. The definition that

is used by mental health professionals to describe if treatment is working includes living a “meaningful life” and “growing towards one’s full potential”. This means that treatment needs to be personalized to each person and should be “multimodal”. If you have any questions about ADHD or other health topics please reach out to Joanna or Jaime!

We are blessed to have knowledgeable, caring nurses in our congregation. If you have a question for Joanna or Jaime, call the main office at 651-462-5212.

2026 Weekly

General Fund Offering Received

$173,562.33

2026 Weekly

General Fund Offering

Budgeted

$167,936.02

Over / (Under) Budgeted General Fund Offering

 $5,626.31

2026

Total Revenue Received

$234,527.00

2026

Total Revenue Budgeted

$205,540.30

Over / (Under) Budgeted Total Revenue Budgeted

$28,986.70

Monthly Totals (as of 08/31/2026)

Total Expenses: $191,859

Net Revenue: $10,536

Edward Jones Balance: $69,720

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, October 18

Worship, 9:00 a.m.

Preliminary 2027 Budget Meeting, after worship

Tuesday, October 20

Adult Bible Study, 1:00 p.m.

Church Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Cub Scouts, 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21

The Table, 5:45 p.m.

(eggbake and ham)

SPLASH, 6:15 p.m.

Confirmation, 6:15 p.m.

Sunday, October 25

Reformation Sunday w/ Bible Presentation

Fall Stewardship Begins

Worship, 9:00 a.m.

Vocal Choir, 6:00 p.m.

Bell Choir, 7:00 p.m.

LOOKING AHEAD

Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off - October 28

All Saints Sunday - November 1

Blood Drive - November 6

West of 55 - Zion Community Meal - November 9