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| |  | The Pilot | |
| | March 2012 | |
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March Reflections |
I know that Iowa is known as the Hawkeye State, and I have seen lots of hawks flying around the state. Iowa is also the only place I’ve been where I have been able to observe our national bird, the bald eagle. Recently, Ruth and I ventured out to DeSoto Bend, hoping to see eagles. We were not disappointed. We saw a number of eagles. Most of them were perched on the partially melted ice of the lake, waiting for dinner to show up in the water. They are beautiful birds to see and it was beautiful to be enjoying them and the park on a gorgeous day.Eagles are a symbol of strength. I suppose that’s why they were chosen as a national emblem by our country. They symbolized strength for people in the Bible also. Isaiah 40:31 reads, “Those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” The word speaks of gathering strength from our faith in God at a time of weariness. There are times of weariness for all of us. Sometimes it is physical. We keep busy schedules; there seems to be not enough time to get everything done, let alone rest. We get weary from facing the same old tasks and routines or the same kinds of problems. People with health problems can become weary from illness or pain. At this time of year, we are often getting weary of winter. I see the bicycle in my garage and am longing for warmer days to start riding again. The time is not far off. We can also get weary in our faith. There are periods that can be dry; we may not feel motivated or feel energy or passion in our faith. That can have a corresponding effect on our whole life. The season of Lent can make us more aware of weariness in our faith and in life as we engage in a life of spiritual struggle and strengthening. I think that’s where the eagles come in. I think that’s where we need God’s strength. As the eagles soar through the air, so God’s spirit comes to us to renew us, to strengthen us, to bear us up. It’s better than a 5-hour energy drink. God comes in Word, in symbol and in surprising refreshing ways. Our weary bones and our weary souls are strengthened to continue the journey. May the eagles of God’s spirit visit you and may you soar on their wings. Pastor, Steve | | | | Upcoming Events In March | |
| Wednesdays Evening Lenten Services. 5:30 meal, 6:45 ServiceSat. 10th 5:30 pm - Evening Worship with Communion Sun. 11th Stone Soup lunch following worship. Sun. 18th 12:30-2:00 pm Jr. SPY bowling at Tamarack Lanes Sun. 18th 3:00 pm - Jordan Creek Gospel Concert at St. Paul Wed. 21st 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Community Table/ Lenten Meal Sat. 24th 2:00-5:00 pm - Council Retreat | |
| | | WEDNESDAYS IN LENT | | BASKETS OF PROMISE - School Kits |
The theme of our Wednesday services is “Faith Talking Through Lent”. We will provide a meal prior to the service, beginning at 5:30 pm. Worship time is 6:45. The topics for the five Wednesday mid-week services will be:Feb. 29—The Cross of Jesus and the Cross of Life. Mar. 7— The Practice of Prayer Mar. 14—The Practice of Forgiveness Mar. 21—Love for the Neighbor Mar. 28—Sharing Our Faith To facilitate discussion at tables, our services will be conducted in the Fellowship Hall. Caring conversation is a way of growing and strengthening faith. The discussions will be part of a worship format. People have been signing up to provide the meals. The 3rd Wed. will be our Community Table. Mar. 26th is still open. | | Another way of observing Lent is by acts of charity. This Lenten season, we will be gathering items for “Baskets of Promise”. The items will go to make school kits for Lutheran World Relief. We have a goal of assembling 20 kits during Lent. Please note that there are specific requirements for each item. (Feb. 26): Notebooks. (70 sheets, wide- or college ruled, approx.. 8: x 10 ½”, no loose-leaf paper) Mar. 4: Backpacks (sturdy drawstring cloth bag approx. 14” x 17” with shoulder straps) Mar. 11: Pens (black or blue, NO gel ink) and pencils (unsharpened #2 with eraser) Mar. 18: Rulers (30-centimeter) & Erasers (2 ½”) Mar. 25: Crayons (box of 16 or 24) and Pencil Sharpeners Apr. 1, Palm Sun.: Scissors (blunt safety scissors) We will assemble the school kits on Saturday, April 14th at 10:00 am in our Fellowship Hall. |
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| PLANNING AND VISIONING PROCESS | | STONE SOUP |
During the Lenten season we will be inviting our congregation to come to one of a number of small group gatherings. The gatherings are to continue the Planning and Visioning process we began in November. You will be contacted by a host for one of the meetings. Our goal is for these meetings to give an opportunity for the Spirit to be at work among us and to lift up possibilities for the future ministry of our congregation. We all have a part in shaping the ministry and you, your faith and your voice matter. When you are contacted please make every effort to attend the meetings along with your family. We will make babysitting available as needed. Pray for this venture, participate, and see what new thing God might do! Please join in. | | Coming Sunday March 11th, it’s the Stone Soup lunch. The stone soup is a project of our Sunday School. You can help by signing up to provide items for the soup and the rest of the meal. See the sign-up table in the Fellowship Hall. All Sunday School kids are requested to help serve.
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| FIRST COMMUNION | | ACOLYTE TRAINING |
We invite our kids who are in 5th grade to prepare for first communion. Pastor Steve will conduct a class for the children and their parents. Tentatively, there will be two classes, on Sunday, March 25 and April 1. Kids who have reached 5th grade and have not begun communion are welcome. | | There will be a training for new acolytes on Sunday, March 25th. We will combine some of the younger kids so we can expand the number of kids serving as acolytes. We will contact the kids involved. |
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| | CHURCH CAMP | | JR SPY—YOUTH EVENT |
We are blessed with an excellent church camp, which our congregation has supported through the years. It is Lutheran Lakeside located on beautiful Lake Okoboji. There are camps for kids as young as 1st grade and through grade 12. St. Paul supports kids going to camp by paying all but the $100 deposit.Looking for a camp that’s closer to home? Camp Carol Joy Holling is a camp of the Nebraska Synod, ELCA, and is located near Ashland, barely an hour away. It also is an excellent camp with very good facilities AND horses. Any parents who would like to send their kids to camp this summer, pick up a brochure at our church or go to the camp websites. | | The event is Bowling at Tamarack Lanes. It will be on Sunday, Mar. 18th from 12:30-2:00 pm. The cost will be $2 per child, with the church paying the rest. It will include a pizza lunch. Older youth are also welcome to come and bowl. Parents, enjoy watching and some fellowship along with it.Our Sr. SPYs are planning a servant activity. At this point it is not yet scheduled. We will notify you soon. |
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| BOOK OF FAITH | | BABYSITTING CLASSES |
The Book of Faith Adult Bible Study has been studying Genesis. We are concluding our study and will begin a new study on Sunday the 11th. Our studies are textual but are very much discussion oriented. This would be a great time to jump in and take part in a study. | | Babysitting classes are being offered through Harrison County Extension Office. Classes will be held on Tuesdays, March 13, 20 & 27, from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. Contact Carole Gorham for more details. |
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| CHURCH COUNCIL FOR 2012 | | LUTHERAN DAY ON THE HILL |
The St Paul Church Council for 2012 convened with new members and divided up assignments in our February meeting. They are: President: Patty Long 642-3650 Vice-Pres.: Dick Gorham 647-2246 Secretary: Julie Beall 644-2256 Treasurer: Betty Hultman 642-3484 Education/Youth: Patty Long 642-3650 Evangelism: John Ferris712-545-3374 Fellowship: Dick Gorham 647-2246 Property: Marty Koefoed 642-2968 Social Ministry: Jodi Fetter 642-2956 Stewardship: Julie Beall 644-2256 Worship/ Music: Cora Halvorson 642-3620 The Council will gather for a retreat on Mar. 24th. We will meet from 2-5 pm, location still to be determined. A major component of this time will be thinking and talking about goals in the various ministry areas. After the meeting we will invite spouses to join us for evening dinner. | | Lutheran Day on the Hill is a day of advocacy organized by Lutheran Services in Iowa. This year it will be on Monday, March 12th, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm. Those who participate will travel to Iowa City, come to an orientation and then spend time joining others in advocating for issues particularly important to Lutheran Service, such as child care, education and people in poverty. There will also be advocacy concerning Hunger through our World Hunger representatives. How to get there? There will be a van transporting people to Lutheran Day on the Hill, which will be stopping in MISSOURI VALLEY. If you are interested, talk to Pastor Steve and/or register through the Lutheran Services website, www.LSIowa.org/advocate. You must register by 2/29. |
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| | GOSPEL MUSIC CONCERT | | WED. CHOIR PRACTICE |
Featuring
Jordan Creek Gospel Band
Southern, Bluegrass, Country, &
Traditional Gospel MusicSunday March 18, 3:00 pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Missouri Valley, Iowa Please join us for an afternoon of Christian Fellowship and some “Good Ole’ Gospel Music” There is no admission charge, but there will be a free will offering. | | Wednesday evening choir practice will resume on March 14th following Lenten Worship (around 7:20-7:30 pm). |
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| SATURDAY WORSHIP SERVICE | | COMMUNITY TABLE |
Just a reminder that we are offering a Saturday evening service, once a month at 5:30 pm. It is prior to the 2nd Sunday of the month, so for March, it will be on the 10th. All are welcome, especially anyone for whom this time will work better than Sunday. | | Our once a month Community Table has been very successful. Sincere thanks to everyone who helps with this free meal for our community. The March Community Table will be held on the 21st. This will also be our Wednesday Lenten Meal.
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| ALTAR FLOWERS | | LOST & FOUND |
Just a reminder that there ae still Sundays available to sign up for Altar Flowers. Each arrangement costs $16.05. Remember to make your payment to St. Paul marked “Flowers” or “Altar Flowers”. You may leave your payment in the offering, drop it off at the office, or mail it to the church. If you have made arrangements with M. J.’s for a ‘special order’ for the altar, you will be sent a reminder at the end of the month stating the amount. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Agnich, the office secretary. (712-216-0070, cell #)
| | Our ‘Lost & Found’ area is located at the left end of the coat rack by the Fellowship Hall.There is a small basket on the shelf for small items. There are quite a few items that have been ‘found’. Some of the items are: white cardigan sweater, brown zippered suede jacket, white/grey zippered fleece jacket, dark green denim kids jacket, 2 umbrellas; 1black, 1 brown, black knit gloves, black sunglasses, brown fringed scarf, white fuzzy scarf. Please take a moment to see if anything belongs to you. |
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GENERAL GIVING AND ATTENDANCE |
(Total offering includes amount to General Fund.)
(Attendance estimated when not posted at back of sanctuary)
| Date |
Attendance |
General Fund |
Total Offering |
| 1-29-12 |
86 |
$1,471.10 |
$1890.26 |
| 2-5-12 |
72 |
$2,940.00 |
$3,726.64 |
| 2-12-12 |
97 |
$2,569.40 |
$2,715.77 |
| 2-19-12 |
71 |
$1,640.00 |
$1,879.43 |
REMINDER: Daylight Savings Time begins March 11th. Remember to set your clocks ahead 1 hour.
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