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St. Paul Blog Post July 30, 2014

7/30/2014

 

August 3rd will be the 8th day of Pentecost

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It's berry pickin' time...

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

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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.

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Lady's Bedstraw is highlighted here. The arrow is pointing to the yellow flowers.
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Lovely Lavender!
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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.
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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.
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Remember to bring your Spiritual Gift Inventory List Sunday and place it in the offering.

More Progressive Dinner Photos are on display here.

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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.
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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)!

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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

Stewardship Meeting @ Bob Evans Thursday, July 31st at 5:30 pm!
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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.
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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!


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Google Calendar Upcoming:
Port Huron Twp Voting will be held at St. Paul on Aug. 5th & 6th. They will be setting up equipment on the 5th and using the facility all day the 6th. They have been asked to use the West Entrance.
Training for Reduced Risk of Child Abuse is on the schedule for August 9th 10:00 am. -12:00 pm. at St. Paul's. This two hour training is designed for all Sunday School teachers, VBS and youth volunteers.

Website News:

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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.

Your help is needed!
I would love to hear your feedback on the service videos and whether you prefer the videos of the entire service or the audio of the sermon.
The Narrative Service was recorded from the computer room window with speakers turned on inside the room. 
  • The file of a full service recording is huge! It takes time to turn it into a view-able product as there are a few edits required.
  • The door opening and closing in the computer room is noticeable.
  • Standing in front of the window blocks the view.
  • So far the computer room seems the best placement as no one can trip over the tripod...however we have a better view of backs than we do of the altar.

The audio "video" was recorded with my Iphone and it was the sermon only. 
  • An Iphone is not the best source for recording, but there are very inexpensive alternatives.
  • A recording with microphone in use which could have improved the sound quality.  
  • Positioning of the recording device should be closer to the Pastor, however, a Pastor might not want to be in charge of the recording.
  • Audio can be enhanced with a better slideshow of photos as well.
As most of you know, I can't always be at service as we have huge commitments in travel baseball from early spring through late summer. I also own the video camera that is used for recording...and take it to the games. I am interested in trying some other ideas so we can make it a smoother process for the new Pastor.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Michelle

St. Paul Blog Post June 27, 2014

6/27/2014

 

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

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Summer is officially here!

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The garden is growing!

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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!
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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 
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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. 
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Tennessee
Congratulations on your graduation Paige!
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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
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Upcoming Events

  • Your Hymns and Sermon Readings are available here for this Sunday if you'd like to brush up. 
  • The Progressive Dinner is July 19th. I wonder if there are any tickets left?
  • July 13th is a Congregational Meeting after each service. Your attendance is greatly appreciated.

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. 

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Georgia
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We have been in Georgia this week for baseball. I have sprinkled in a few photos from the trip. The weather is not too hot...it's been kind to us Michigan folk.

Safe travels to those of you who are on the roads as well!

~Michelle Merkau

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

St. Paul Blog Post June 18, 2014

6/18/2014

 

"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)

  • The weekly Bible Verse list in preparation of Sunday is available here.
  • The upcoming Readings and Hymns for Sunday are available here.
  • Sunday, June 15th Synopsis: The sermon was about the history of ketchup...and how it ties into our life with God. Read it here. Nowadays we have squeeze bottle ketchup. Do you suppose when we are so congested and full of “Stuff” God has to give us more than a tap on our neck...maybe a squeeze? Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4  
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This week:

Leadership Workshop on June 21st
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pilgrim Lutheran Church
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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!

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**********************************
June 21st
Happy Summer!
**********************************


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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.
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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.

Blog Post-Wednesday, June 11, 2014

6/11/2014

 
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The red paraments for Pentecost are so beautiful and vibrant!


Thank you Diane for the photo!

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
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          Jesus is the Light!

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                                  June 15th is Trinity Sunday

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. 

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Next month's Feature Article will start the beginning of a series about the Altar Guild.
Readings and Hymns for this upcoming Sunday are available, along with sermon notes from last week (God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things).
Readings & Notes
Hymns & Videos/Lyrics
Daily Scripture Readings are also available if you haven't seen them yet. There's still time to catch up before Sunday Service!
Daily Readings

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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:

If you have your cameras handy during events this summer, please snap a couple photos and send to me for the website. If you need help attaching photos, please get in touch with me and I can walk you through it.
Thanks, Michelle
stpaullutheranph@gmail.com
Our website views are climbing. The Council had suggested we add the URL to the blurb in the Times Herald. Great idea! This week the Search Engines will get to know us up close and personal. The old adage; if you build it they will come...doesn't hold water on the World Wide Web.

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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.

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Sermon Highlights and Website News

6/4/2014

 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

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Reminder that June 9th is the next Council Meeting at 6:45 p.m. and we have an open door policy for any member who would like to attend.

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Pastor Schafer delivered a wonderful sermon about ascension: Jesus removed himself from the Earth to make room for us. He believes in us! The manner of all things in the spirit of the church makes all things possible. Gods power is in us and working through us. the plan for St. Paul was already there when the disciples received their to-do list from Jesus. Read the whole synopsis here.



The Hymns and Readings are listed for Sunday. If you'd like to brush up on the Hymns, you can find videos and lyrics here. The 1st and 2nd Readings for Sunday, June 8th are listed here.  You can also find the Daily Readings from Taking Faith Home here, they are a great way to prepare for the next sermon. New items have been added to the Google Calendar.

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.

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Sunday, June 1 2014

6/3/2014

 

Celebrating new faith, new hope, new life.

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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!

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

We appreciate Pastor Schafer allowing us to test out our recording capabilities on his Sunday Sermon. Stay tuned as we make some tweaks to this area and work toward the goal of sharing Worship with our homebound members and others who would be blessed with the Word of God. 

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.

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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 

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Let's fill those aprons with donations!
Kristie Urie will be speaking for a few minutes at the end of each service.



June 15th is Father's Day!

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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

Memorial Day SermonĀ 

5/27/2014

 
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Read the Memorial Day Sermon Synopsis here:

Pastor Hockley shared letters from soldiers/veterans that revealed their struggles with war and death, their desire to be remembered or their realization that they were saved for a purpose.
He also told the touching story of how Taps may have come to be. There are no official words to Taps, but this one of the more popular: 

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky. 
All is well, safely rest, 
God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, must thou go,
When the day, and the night
Need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light; and afar
Goeth day, and the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well; day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, this we know,
God is nigh.

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    St. Paul Lutheran Church 
    3790 West Water Street, Port Huron, MI. 48060
    (810)982-9853

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