St. Paul Blog Post July 30, 2014

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

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

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!

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:

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