Pastor Schedule
Sept. 28th - Robin Abbott

Let's join in prayer. 
Dear Lord, bless our friends, help their worries be light and their joy be great. Please continue to watch over Leonard, Karen, Debbie, Brian, Rachel, Allison, Emily, Christian, Jodi, Dennis, Donald, Douglas, Del, John, Bob, Joe, Rick, Steve, Margaret, Barry, baby Mrak, Bob, Wendy, Chris, Mark, Ruth, and Mike.
We hold the same prayer for our Military. Lord, bless them and keep them; Brian, Barbara, Thad, Shanna, Ramon, Michael, Kyle, Bradley, Dennis, Ryan, and Christopher.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore truck was parked at St. Paul's Sept. 20th and thanks to the help of Carl Beals, it was loaded with an amazing contribution of building supplies donated by our congregation. More photos are available on our Stewardship page, if you'd like to see the guys hard at work!

Saturday, September 20th was the Stewardship Retreat hosted by the Stewardship Committee and facilitated by Robin Abbott. The notes from the session have been turned into this months Feature Article. I encourage you to read and attend future workshops that the Stewardship Committee.

The Narthex has a wonderful Stewardship presentation on the wall. 

The Volga-Germans of Michigan's Thumb is available for purchase at St. Paul's. The cost is $30, please make checks out to St. Paul Lutheran. 

A copy is available for reading in our library.

Have you picked up a copy of The Lutheran? There are several copies in the Narthex. Subscriptions are available. The June 2014 magazine has some interesting information about churches utilizing information technology and the internet.

Praise the Lord!

The garden bounty has been 5,714 pounds thus far. The vegetables have been donated weekly to Mid-City to help feed our neighbors in need.

See new photos of our 
Fall Vegetable Garden.

September 27th is the Food Truck. Thanks to the generous $850 Grant from Zion Lutheran Church, we are able to host the Food Truck for our Evangelism & Social Ministry efforts.

September 27th is the Youth Group trip to Cedar Point. The weather should be a nice 70 degrees with 0% chance of rain. Have fun!!! Take some pictures to share with us!

September 28th is a 
Worship and Music Meeting 
between services.

September 30th is the 
deadline for the Annual Reports

September 27th is the 
Kids Against Hunger
fundraiser.

October 12th 
is the wedding of 
Melinda and Michael Duckworth 
at 12:00 noon
 The congregation is invited to attend 
the wedding and the reception at St. Paul's.

Apple Pies will be in the works soon. Keep your eye out for sign-up details and your rolling pins and apple peelers ready!

How do you prefer your pie? 
Ice Cream? Warm? Whipped Cream?

What is Erntedankfest?
The 1621 harvest celebration of the Pilgrims in New England.
OH!
Is the celebration of offering thanks at harvest time unique to America?
No, ancient Egyptians, Greeks and other cultures have celebrated throughout history. 
How long has Thanksgiving been a national holiday in America?
Good question! 
Only since the 1940's. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the bill that created the holiday in 1941...but prior to that...President Lincoln declared October 3, 1863 was a national Day of Thanksgiving. Although Lincoln's declaration was a one time event, presidents following him also picked a day to celebrate, based on their whims...or when they got hungry for turkey and pumpkin pie.

Until Roosevelt, it was chaos, the grocers didn't know when to stockpile turkeys and offer them for cents on the dollar. 
*disclaimer...the last part may or may not be true.

The Technology Advisory Committee that first met to discuss ideas for the website is going to meet again. Do you have ideas to contribute? You can attend or email them to me [email protected]

I am putting together a survey regarding St. Paul's online presence to hand out in a (near future) church bulletin. I am looking forward to getting feedback from the congregation as a whole.
~Michelle

Pastor Schedule
Sept. 21st - Dave Hudson
Sept. 28th - Robin Abbott

St. Paul has donated 4,934 pounds of produce to Mid-City as of September 16th.
That's a lot of veggies! Thank you for your help and support in feeding our community.

Dear Lord, please bring good health and wellness to our friends: Leonard, Karen, Debbie, Brian, Rachel, Allison, Emily, Christian, Jodi, Dennis, Cristin, Donald, Mary Esther, Marlene, Douglas, Del, John, bob, Joe, June & Jerry, Rick, Steve, Margaret, Barry, and baby Mrak.

Heavenly Father, we ask you to give peace and protection to our military: Brian, Barbara, Thad, Shanna & Ramon, Michael, Kyle, Bradley, Dennis, Ryan, and Christopher.

Volga Germans of Michigan's Thumb is now on sale in our Narthex after each service. This book has a fantastic history of Germans from Russia and the thumb area of Michigan, along with early baptismal, confirmation and death records. What a great genealogical resource! Please make your checks out to St. Paul for $30.

Cookies & Pie
Oh me, oh my!

We will keep you posted on our
Annual Fundraisers

Apple Pies are coming soon!

December brings the Cookie Walk

Grab your rolling pins and your recipes...

Sept. 20th is the Stewardship Workshop
Are you planning to attend? Robin Abbott is sure to give a great presentation on how we can tap into the gifts God has given us and how we can use them for our church and community.

If you haven't RSVP'd on the sign-up form in the Narthex, please attend anyway. There is room for you here!

Melinda & Michael Duckworth
will be united in marriage on October 12th
at 12:00 noon.

The wedding party will be 
attending the 10:30 am service.
The congregation is invited to attend
the wedding and the reception following.

Kids Against Hunger
November 15th
Hosted by Trinity Lutheran in Richmond
We are assembling meals for families. 
Free will offerings are accepted to help 
cover the $3000 that is needed to make
10,000 meals.

If you have anything to post on the blog or Facebook, feel free to email me: [email protected]

The Facebook page is a great way to reach the large number of folks who routinely view and "like" our posts. If you have a last minute item, FB is a quick way to spread the word!

Pastor Schedule
Sept. 14 - Duane Schafer
Sept. 21 - Dave Hudson

Celebrate your faith in God with us after each service over fellowship, coffee, and refreshments. We look forward to getting to know you! 

Visitors are always welcome!

Secretary Hours: 
Monday - Friday 9 am to 1 pm


October Newsletter articles are due Sept. 14th

Lord, you know the state of crisis that your children are in, we pray for their healing so they may continue to do your work. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Leonard, Karen, Debbie, Brian, Rachel, Allison, Emily, Christian, Jodi, Dennis, Cristin, Donald, Mary Esther, Marlene, Douglas, Del, John, Bob, Joe, June, Jerry, Rick, Steve, Margaret, Barry, Baby Mrak.

Lord, we ask you to protect and defend our military as they protect and defend us. Please continue to enrich them spiritually and give them strength. We ask that you watch over their families, giving them also, hope, courage, and faith. In Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
Brian, Barbara, Thad, Shanna, Ramon, Michael, Kyle, Bradley, Dennis, Ryan, Christopher.

Sunday School started back last Sunday. Fun and laughter all around! See the videos here on our Facebook page.

The St. Paul's Community Garden has donated 3,850 pounds of produce to Mid-City!
If you would like to learn more about Mid-City and volunteer opportunities, visit our Community Outreach page here.

Just a reminder that there are complimentary copies of The Lutheran magazine on the coffee table in the Narthex. *If 10 or more folks are interested in a subscription, the cost would be $8.95 per person.

September 14th is the Cookie Walk Meeting at 9:30 between services. Please come with ideas! New people are needed for heading up this annual fundraiser.

The Blue Water Community Food Depot Cart is now located in the Narthex. Please bring an offering of food to place in the cart on Sunday.

September 16th at 6:00 is the Master Gardener Meeting. 

There will be a potluck dinner, Community Garden tour and meeting. 


Please join us!

September 20th is the Fall Mum Sale Pickup Day at St. Paul Lutheran from 10 am -Noon. 
Did you order your favorite color of bronze, burgundy red, yellow or lavender? 

September 20th is the Habitat for Humanity's Mobile Donation Center. From 10 am - Noon there will be a truck in St. Paul's parking lot. 

September 20th is the Stewards of God's Love - Stewardship Workshop from 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Robin Abbott will facilitate and help improve your understanding of the term "stewardship" in relationship to the gifts God has given you. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. 

All are welcome!

September 27th St. Paul will be hosting a Food Truck. 

We Need Food Truck Volunteers! 
Please help register families, pass out food, and help take food to the cars. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex.

Volunteers please arrive between 9:30 - 10:00 am.

Kids Against Hunger/Mission Fund Raiser is Sept. 27th at the Younger Irish Tavern in Romeo. Tickets are $20.

Contact Candy at 810-385-3370 for tickets.

September 27th the Blue Water Youth Cluster is heading to Cedar Point for the day. The cost is $30 per person and there is a sign-up sheet and permission slips at the church. 

Bring your friends!

We are looking forward to seeing some fun photos from Cedar Point on Facebook!

September 28th is a Worship and Music Meeting between services.

September 30th Council Reports for the Annual Report are due.

As of today, 9,600 unique visitors have viewed our website. The world wide web is truly amazing!

St. Paul has an amazing group of volunteers. There are many opportunities to help others and spread the Word. Our Leadership and Ministries webpage has several links for volunteer opportunities. Please contact the church office (810)982-9853 for more information.

According to www.dictionary.com:
volunteer
[vol-uh n-teer] 
noun

1. a person who voluntarily offers himself or her-self for a service or undertaking.
2. a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.

Others may define it as:

1. serving a cause greater than oneself.
2. a way to give back to those who have blessed you.
3. helping those who cannot help themselves.
4. giving a fraction of your time for a worthy cause.
5. many hands make light work.
6. sharing your abilities and happiness so others will be happy.
7. often unrecognized and unrewarded, volunteers are the backbone to many communities.
8. to make the world a better place.

Pastor Schedule
Sept. 7 - Duane Schafer
Sept. 14 - Duane Schafer
Sept. 21 - Dave Hudson
Sept. 28 - Robin Abbott

The office hours are M-F 9 am to 1 pm

The October Newsletter deadline is September 14th.

St. Paul's Community Garden has donated 2,644 pounds of produce to Mid-City as of September 2nd. Glory be to God!

The Blue Water Community Food Depot Cart has been placed in the Narthex next to the coffee table. Please bring a donation Sunday!

Our Sunday School teachers and volunteers attended a seminar for Reducing the Risk of Child Abuse on August 9th. Beginning this fall, all of our members who have regular contact with you (teachers, VBS volunteers, and youth leaders) will have a background check and training as part of our synod's effort to help protect our children.

Sunday School Rally Weekend is coming quick! This Saturday, Sept. 6th is the campfire. Sunday, Sept. 7th is Rally Day. Sunday School starts at 9:15 am the 7th!

September 7th: "Make A Difference Day"
The Stewardship Committee is sponsoring an outreach opportunity for Michigamme School & Indian Woods School.  We are collecting underwear and pants for boys & girls sizes 6 – 10.  Your donations will be greatly appreciated!

How about Veggie Salad!

September 7th: The new Book Study group for young adult members (20's -40's) is the hip place to be on Sunday from noon to 1:30. The lunch theme is "salad" and they will be discussing the first 2 chapters of the book, "The Pursuit of Holiness", by Jerry Bridges. Please come! If you have any questions, please contact Ted Golubinski Jr.

...or maybe Fruit Salad!

September 8th is the next Church Council meeting at 6:45 pm.

September 9th is The Women's Bible Study. They will meet on Tuesday, September 9th, at 1pm at the church.  All are welcome.  Materials are provided.  Bring a Bible if you have one.
The fall session will be a 3 month study on Mary, Elizabeth and Lydia. Meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. They do not meet the month of December and the summer months.

Quilting Starts September 11th at 9 am. 
We are tying quilts for the World Relief every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. We appreciate donations of unused fabric, please no smaller than 5", and bright colored yarn. According to the Lutheran World Relief memo, we cannot use these fabrics: US flag, patriotic symbols, military symbols, references to armed forces, camouflage, religious symbols, St. Pat, St. Nicholas, Noah's Ark, etc, religious messages such as; Merry Christmas, etc. Thank you!

September 14th is the Cookie Walk Planning Meeting at 9:30 (between services). The cookie walk is scheduled for December 6th. We would like to hear your ideas and suggested changes. We are also looking for new people to head this committee.

September 20th is the Stewards of God's Love - Stewardship Workshop from 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Robin Abbott will facilitate and help improve your understanding of the term "stewardship" in relationship to the gifts God has given you. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. All are welcome!

September 16th the Master Gardeners of St. Clair County will be at St. Paul's at 6:00 pm. There will be a potluck dinner, Community Garden tour and meeting. Please join us!

Saturday September 20th is Fall Mum Pickup day at St. Paul Lutheran from 10 am -Noon. Spit spot on ordering your big beautiful mums delivered by Theisen's greenhouse. The sign-up is in the Narthex. Grab your choice of yellow, bronze, lavender, or burgundy red for a mere $10. Proceeds of the sale go to the Women's Ministry so they can continue to do all the wonderful things they do in our Father's name.

September 20th is the Habitat for Humanity's Mobile Donation Center. From 10 am - Noon there will be a truck in St. Paul's parking lot gathering the following items, in good condition, for the Habitat ReStore:
Appliances, Building Materials, Cabinets, Doors, Flooring, Furniture, Hardware, Heating Fixtures, Home Decor & Goods, Lumber, Plumbing Fixtures & Materials, Windows (not wooden or single pane)

September 27th St. Paul will be hosting a Food Truck. Volunteers, please arrive between 9:30 am & 10:00 am. Bring your wagons & your muscles! The volunteer sign-up sheet is in the Narthex.

We Need Food Truck Volunteers! 
Please help register families, pass out food, and help take food to the cars.

September 27th the Blue Water Youth Cluster is heading to Cedar Point for the day. The cost is $30 per person and I will have the sign-up sheet and permission slips at the church. Bring your friends!

November is our next Noisy Can Collection month. November 30th is the 5th Sunday of the month. Please bring in your spare change! Proceeds go toward our Sunday School needs.

The website has received 9,000 unique visitors to date. 

The September Ray is available online here. The Volunteer Calendar is available here. The Google Online Monthly Calendar is available here. The new amount on the GWIP thermometer is available here.

If you have photos of the above events or anything in the church that has caught your photogenic eye that you would like to share with the congregation, please email them to me [email protected]