August 3rd will be the 8th day of Pentecost

It's berry pickin' time...

How is your garden growing? Here is St. Paul's Vegetable Garden as of mid-July.

The Biblical Herb Garden is growing and changing as well! 
The feature article about the Garden is available to read if you haven't yet. Another page has been added to our website featuring photos from the Herb Garden. There will be additions as the seasons progress. You can view the new page here and it is accessible through the feature article page as well.

Lady's Bedstraw is highlighted here. The arrow is pointing to the yellow flowers. Lovely Lavender!

Garden is life. There are flowers ready to be born, open and come alive. Some are in their prime, beautiful, dancing in the breeze, stretching themselves toward the heavens. Others have enjoyed what Mother Nature has to offer for the season and are ready to return to the earth, fertilizing it for those yet to come.

Upcoming Pastor Schedule: Aug. 3rd - Robin Abbott Aug. 10th - Duane Schafer Aug. 17th - George Hockley Aug. 24th - Robin Abbott Aug. 31st - Dave Hudson

Recent Events

July 27th Sermon: Robin Abbott delivered a sermon about using God's Gifts. See the sermon notes here.  She handed out worksheets that helped us identify our spiritual gifts that were chosen by God, specifically for us. The worksheet gives an idea on the areas that you excel at and can use in Stewardship to help serve the church.  If you would like a copy of the worksheet, come to St. Paul, or you (Members) can go to your email and request a copy to be emailed to you. I am keeping a copy on file...perhaps my spiritual gifts will evolve over time as I grow.

Remember to bring your Spiritual Gift Inventory List Sunday and place it in the offering.

More Progressive Dinner Photos are on display here.

Donna Sanderson is sharing her Lavender Cookie Shortbread Recipe with us. I heard they were delicious! Yields 2 dozen Ingredients: 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar 1/4 tsp. almond extract (I like a tad more) 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup almond meal 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh lavender (1 Tbsp dried) 2 Tbsp. cornstarch 1/4 tsp. sea salt 2 Tbsp. heavy cream or 1/2 & 1/2 *granulated sugar to sprinkle on top In a mixing bowl, beat butter, confectioner's sugar, and extracts at medium-speed about 3 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, almond meal, lavender, cornstarch, and salt until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low; add flour mixture to butter mixture. Add cream and beat to combine. Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thick between two pieces of lightly floured parchment or waxed paper. Using your favorite 2 1/2-inc cookie cutter, cut as many cookies as possible, re-rolling scraps until all dough is used. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, at least 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with sugar.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Garnish with fresh lavender, if desired. Store, covered, at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Reminder:  The Young Adult Bible Study meets from 12:00 to 1:30(ish) at St. Paul's. This is a great opportunity for all you youngins' (20's-40's)!

The group had a BBQ on July 27th and will be meeting on Aug. 7th to discuss the first two chapters of The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. The book can be purchased at the Christian Book Store in Port Huron or online at Amazon.com (this link will take you to the book where it is available in Kindle or paperback). The group is flexible with scheduling and would love to have you join them. Contact the office or Ted Jr. for more information.

Upcoming Events

Annual Women's Ministry Picnic August 16th! The Women's Ministry Annual Picnic will be held at Judy Halamka's house at noon.  If there is rain and then we will meet at church.  Please bring a dish to pass and your own eating utensils.  There is a signup sheet in the Narthex.

Gangway to Galilee Where: St. Paul Lutheran Church *please use the East Entrance When: August 4-8  (5:00-8:00 pm) Who: You! & your friends too! How: Registration forms are available here & at the VBS table in the church Narthex Why: To Learn, Play, & Grow in Christ...Together!

Website News:

The upcoming Hymns are available here. If you'd like to receive the worksheet for discovering the spiritual gifts that God has given you, contact me here.

Time after Pentecost: The paraments are green on the Sundays following the Holy Trinity (1st Sunday after Pentecost - which were white altar cloths)

Summer is officially here!

The garden is growing!

Recent Events

St. Paul Lutheran Church Leadership Retreat was held Saturday, June 21, 2014 Are you curious about what transpired at the Leadership Retreat led by Robin Abbot?  Achieving our Goals A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery. A vision with a plan can change the world. What is your plan? AGENDA: Preparing our Bodies: Arrival/Continental Breakfast Preparing our Hearts: Opening Worship Preparing our Minds: Mind Building with Megan Bible Study: God's Mission for the Church Break Opening Your Spiritual Gifts for Ministry and Mission Lunch Strategic Planning for Mission: Goals and Tasks Closing Worship: Affirmation and Anointing for Service Hugs and Goodbyes: Hug Coupon  * *When you are chosen by God, you can proceed with "courageous recklessness". During the retreat, the participants were given a questionnaire which helped them narrow down where their talents are specifically. In July, Robin Abbot will be basing her sermon around using God's gifts in stewardship.

These were distributed at the retreat and thought they would be a nice thing to share with all of you. A hug is a powerful thing! HUG THE WORLD FOR CHRIST HUGS It's wondrous what a hug can do.  A hug can cheer you when you're blue. A hug can say, "I love you so," Or, "Gee, I hate to see you go." A hug is, "Welcome back again," And, "Great to see you! Where've you been?" A hug can soothe a small child's pain And bring a rainbow after rain. The hug! There's just no doubt about it- We scarcely could survive without it! A hug delights and warms and charms. It must be why God gave us arms. Hugs are great for fathers and mothers, Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers. And chances are your favorite aunts Love them more than potted plants. Kittens crave them. Puppies love them. Heads of state are not above them. A hug can break the language barrier And make your travels so much merrier. No need to fret about your store of 'em; The more you give the more there's more of 'em. So stretch those arms without delay And give

Did you get your directory? There personalized touch with your family name at the top is a super idea! They are laid out perfectly and so easy to use. Thank you Diane Biskner and Diane Merkau for all your hard work over the months in preparing it. Our new pastor is sure to appreciate it too.

Sunday June 22nd was a Narrative Service given by Robin Abbot. The script was prepared by Clayton Faulkner. The Psalms will be sung as a group again as we go back to the old ways, which will link us with the Old Church. See the synopsis here. The service was recorded on video and is in the process of editing for upload.

Tennessee

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and plans to give you hope, and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Upcoming Events

July 4th is just around the corner. Hopefully you have some wonderful plans to celebrate with family and friends. This flag is in Marietta, Georgia. It is absolutely enormous. Just imagine how beautiful it must be when a wind strong enough to lift it comes through. Thank you God for giving us this country that allows us to praise you without persecution.

Georgia

We are now on Twitter! Follow us at-
https://twitter.com/StPaulLuthPH

"All those who stand before others and say they believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they belong to me." Matthew 10:32 (NCV)

This week:

Leadership Workshop on June 21st 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pilgrim Lutheran Church The Green Paraments are coming out this Sunday. If someone could snap a photo of our beautifully dressed altar and send to stpaullutheranph@gmail.com, I'd be grateful. Thank you!

********************************** June 21st Happy Summer! ********************************** The Nail Sale  was a success!  Thank you for your contributions.

Upcoming Events:

New! The ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit has open registration starting October 15, 2014. Please visit our Youth Group webpage for more informational items such as; links to registration, forms and documents to print (release forms, packing lists...etc.), videos from ELCA and a news pdf to download.

PROGRESSIVE DINNER The Progressive Dinner details are available. Who's got the vittles and where will they be? Info is posted on the Google Calendar for July 19th here. Progressive Dinner explanation compliments of Wikipedia: A progressive dinner (US) or safari supper (UK) is a dinner party with successive courses prepared and eaten at the residences of different hosts. Usually this involves the consumption of one course at each location. Involving travel, it is a variant on a potluck dinner and is sometimes known as a round-robin. An alternative is to have each course at a different dining area within a single large establishment. In a safari supper, the destination of the next course is generally unknown by the participants, and they have to decipher a clue before moving on. In the USA, participants go to each house for the various courses. Often there is a regional theme for each dinner, such as Italian, German, or French. Various wines to suit the courses are often served at each location. A challenge is keeping the food warm and ready at each location. An alternative is to have the courses at different restaurants. This style of eating has recently become popular as a charity fundraiser in rural Britain and is seen as a good way of meeting different neighbors in the community by virtue of each participant having separate guests.

Remember Dear 'Ol Dad on June 15th!

Don't forget the Nail Sale on  June 15th. Buy a nail...build a house! In light of the "Nail Sale"  God's Math: 1 Cross + 3 Nails      4 Given

Jesus is the Light!

New Feature Article is available! 
Read about the Biblical Herb Garden, enjoy the blooming flowers and learn about why plant specimens were chosen. Do you know how old the garden is? Learn about it here. 

Next month's Feature Article will start the beginning of a series about the Altar Guild.

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Our Calendar isn't as full during the summer as everyone is enjoying the glorious weather (hey, we get a couple sunshiny days here in Michigan...for which we are grateful), keep an eye on our Google Calendar as we have some events coming in July (12th Craft-a-way), (19th Annual Progressive Dinner) and in Aug. (4-8th VBS), (PH Twp Elections at the church 4-5th). Event details are available on the here.

Website:

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Dear Heavenly Father, please direct those, to St. Paul Lutheran Church, who are in need of your grace, those who are spiritually hungry, and those who have been searching for a church where they would feel welcome and at home in your glory. Amen.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Have you seen the Iris in bloom? They are lovely! If you happen by the church this summer with a couple buckets full of water during a dry spell...please feel free to quench the thirst of our lovely Biblical Herb Garden plants.

Celebrating new faith, new hope, new life.

The congregation of St. Paul, along with Pastor Schafer, parents Jennifer and Andrew, and their families welcome Julia Catherine into Holy Baptism.  May God continue to watch over and bless your family!

The 10:30 Sunday Service is now available for viewing.

June 9th is Pentacost Sunday, the paraments (altar cloths) will be Red.*****this is only for 1 week, so if someone could email me a nice photo of the altar dressed in Red, I'd appreciate it :) stpaullutheranph@gmail.com

VBS has a table set up in the Narthex.

Mark your calendars! August 4-8th. Registration is going on now. Spread the word to your family and friends. St. Paul is the place to be for your summer Bible Adventure. Download your registration form here.

The donation box is setup and ready for the following items. We appreciate your contributions! Fabric Markers Art Markers (Crayola or Roseart) Fine Tip Permanent Markers Craft Glue Popsicle Sticks Yarn Beads (Multicolor Pony Style) Glitter Glue Newspaper Stick On Jewels Cupcake Liners Paper Plates Tape

June 15th - Nail Sale 

Would you like to receive this weekly update in your email? Sign up on the Blog - Highlights Page here.

Reminder to check your family information in the directory in the Narthex and initial if correct as it will be published soon.

Have you seen the Inspiration Page? It's growing with some videos and beautiful photos and messages.

The website changes here and there as I mix the daily/weekly maintenance and insert new items.
*Current project: Feature Article on the Biblical Herb Garden). *You'll be happy to know that in the first 3 weeks, we have over 1,000 unique visitors to our website.
*The Ray is now available for download as is the Welcome Packet. 
*Be sure to check upcoming events on the Google Calendar.

Have a wonderful week! 
~Michelle