St. Paul Blog Post June 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)

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

Congratulations on your graduation Paige!

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

• 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. 

Georgia

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

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