SAINT PAUL’S EPISTLE
Our mission at Saint Paul’s is to: welcome all people; proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ; experience a personal relationship with Him; and joyfully share God’s love with others.
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church * 12 North 6th Street * Wilmington, NC 28401 * 910.762.4882 phone * 910.762.4129 fax * [email protected]
HAPPENING THIS MONTH
July 2019 Epistle Table of Contents
1… From Pastor Jonathan
Family Promise Vacation Bible School 2… Stephen Ministry Cookbook
SPARKS Trip Youth Group Book Bags
VBS Prep 3 & 4... Pics from St. Paul’s 5… July Birthdays July Worship Assistants
6… July Calendar
Family Promise of the Lower Cape Fear July 14-20 Keever Hall
This summer, the NC Synod is having a Sum-
mer Reading Series based on the Psalms. For my monthly article, I am happy to share with you my reflection on Psalm 19 called “Speedbumps.”
“14Let the words of my mouth and the medita-tion of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19 always makes me think of my dad, Paul Conrad. Before my dad would preach, he
would pray the Psalm’s last verse, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, Oh
Lord. Our strength and our redeemer. Amen.” For my dad, this prayer served two purposes. First, it was a spiritual way to focus on the
task of preaching to the congregation. Sec-ond, and most importantly, it was to put all his trust in God.
My dad was never at a loss for words, espe-cially when it came to God. He knew and be-lieved with all his heart that God was “true
and righteous” (v. 9) and would provide. He knew that God was always with him as he prayed and reflected on the Scriptures. He
also knew that God was with him and within him as he spoke the Word. Through God, my dad had an incredible faith. A faith he loved to
talk about and share with everyone. My dad passed away in 2010, but to this day, he is still teaching me how to trust God with
all my heart. There are days when I hit a “spiritual speedbump” and my faith in God is not as strong as I would like for it to be.
When those days hit me, my dad’s prayer speaks loudest to me. For it is in those dark moments, that God truly provides strength through the memories my dad and I made
together. Those memories are filled with ad-ventures and a lot of love. A LOT of love. When I remember the love my dad and I
shared, I give thanks to God for that love and for the support God has given me through my dad, my mom, my friends and family. I not
only give thanks, I live out my thanks by
FROM PASTOR JONATHAN
Church Office Closed Thursday & Friday
July 4 & 5
VBS Planning Meeting July 28
10:10 a.m. Keever Hall
FAMILY PROMISE
putting my trust in God, knowing that God is
always with me. Even during my speed-bumps. Study Questions:
Is there a Bible passage that always makes you think of a loved one?
How does God speak to you during your “spiritual speedbumps?”
Prayer: Holy God, as we walk along the road of disci-pleship, lead us through our spiritual speed-bumps. Walk alongside of us, in front of us,
and behind us, to make sure that we stay on the right path, so that we can proclaim Your Good News to all your children. Amen.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35
From July 14 to 21 we will again be hosting homeless families from Family Promise. This is the first time since the hurricane that they will
be back in our church for their stay. We need: overnight hosts, dinners cooked and served, snacks and breakfast items, a van driver, and set-up and take-down of the rooms for them.
Please call or email Barb Lenz with any ques-tions or to sign up at 910-228-4421 or email
Monday–Friday
August 5-9, 2019 9:00 am–12:00 pm Ages: 3– 5th Grade
Register here:
https://vbspro.events/p/stpauls19
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
St. Paul's Cookbook Committee needs
your help! We are looking for a few more recipes in certain categories to make this cookbook a success. Please share YOUR recipes by placing them
in Mari-Louise Rannow's mailbox in the Administration Building hallway on or before July 7.
We need more recipes in the follow-ing categories: Snacks, Candy, Cook-
ies, Breads & Rolls, and Breakfast and Main Dish Casseroles. We have so many good cooks and are excited to have this cookbook ready in time for
Christmas giving. Thank you.
Interested in a SPARKS Myrtle Beach
Trip December 2-4? If so, contact Bev Friese at [email protected]. If there is enough interest, we’ll plan a trip!
"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 As we honor the twelve year anniver-
sary of Stephen Ministry at St. Paul's, we pray your eyes and hearts have been opened to how this ministry is
available for you or your loved ones in a time of need or loss. Do you know someone who has suffered a loss of a
loved one, a job, their health, a loss of a marriage, their home, etc? Please contact either Pastor Mark or Linda Evans to learn more about Stephen
Ministry; they look forward to speak-ing with you confidentially and an-swering your questions.
Here are a few questions and answers to remind you how this helpful minis-try can be a blessing in your life.
Q: What is Stephen Ministry? A: Stephen Ministers provide one-to-
one, confidential Christian care to people in our St. Paul's Congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives; someone who
is in need or hurting. St. Paul's Ste-phen Ministers will listen to you, sup-port you, and simply 'be there' for you
for as long as you need. They listen, care, pray, support and encourage.
Q: Who needs a Stephen Minster? A: Any person experiencing a life cri-sis or challenge; the needs of care receivers may include divorce, loss of
a loved one, hospitalization, terminal illness, loneliness, relocation, unem-ployment, retirement, empty nest, and
any other situations that are troubling at this time. Q: Who is a Stephen Minister? A: A Stephen Minister is a congrega-tion member with gifts for care-giving, who was carefully selected to serve in
this role. Stephen Ministers have re-ceived 50 hours of training in provid-ing emotional and spiritual care. St.
Paul's currently has seven gifted and loving Stephen Ministers: Linda Ev-ans, Martha Greer, Nancy Moore, Melinda Sizemore, Tammi Gates, Har-
ry Bargholz, and Susan Dresher.
Q: Who is a Stephen Leader? A: Pastors or lay leaders who have completed a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course and direct Stephen Ministry in their congregation. St.
Paul's currently has three Stephen Leaders, trained and equipped to lead, supervise, train and sup-
port. They work together as a team, each overseeing different aspects of Stephen Ministry. Serving as St.
Paul's Stephen Leaders: Pastor Mark Opgrand, Linda Evans, and Martha Greer; please contact them with your questions or concerns.
We ask that you prayerfully consider contacting Pastor Mark to learn more
about Stephen Ministry. Pastor Jona-than, your Stephen Ministers and Ste-phen Leaders would be pleased to visit with you as well! Pastor Mark
Opgrand can be reached at (910) 620-9021 or [email protected]. We are the Care-Givers...Our Precious and
Wise God is the Cure-Giver!
Save the dates!
Saturday, August 3
Youth Lake Day at Lake Waccamaw All upcoming 6th– 12 grades invited
Sunday, August 11 Lunch/Mission Trip
Presentation Planning
Sunday, August 25
Lunch/Mission Trip Presentation Planning
Saturday, September 7
Mission Trip Presentation Planning
Sunday, September 8
Mission Trip Presentation (During Breakfast)
Looking Forward:
August School Supply Drive Keep your eyes out for
book bags and school supply sales
this summer! Supplies will be distrib-uted to Lutheran Social Services Fos-ter Students and local schools in need
for the 2019-2020 school year! Collec-tions begin in August, but supplies bought beforehand may be placed in
Susan Jackson’s office.
VBS Planning Meeting
Sunday, July 28, 10:10 am Keever Hall
All volunteers are invited to come, get
schedules, and ask questions
VBS Decorating
Sunday, August 4 10:15 am until finished!
Join us following 9:00 am worship to decorate Keever and classroom spac-es! Those who attend 11:00 may come before or after. All are welcome
to come– even kids!
St. Paul’s Epistle Page 2
STEPHEN MINISTRY
COOKBOOK
SPARKS TRIP
YOUTH GROUP
BOOK BAGS
VBS PREP
St. Paul’s Epistle Page 3
PICTURES FROM ST. PAUL’S
CONGRATULATIONS, RICHARD AND GRIFFIN!
Left: Baptisms of Ella Jo Aubin and Eliza
Ann Curry. Above: Congratulations, graduates!
St. Paul’s Epistle Page 4
PICTURES FROM THE PENTECOST COOKOUT
STEWARDSHIP SNAPSHOT
1 Ogden Allsbrook Ursula Cuthbertson
2 June Marie Skibsted 3 Debbie Farabee Savannah Higgins
Kathy Parker 4 Debbie Mason 5 Linda Pfeifle
6 Al Bourbeau Fran Denninger Margie Odell 8 Kasey Cummings
Linda Evans 9 Amanda Fox 10 Linda Surratt
12 Harry McGrew Zachary Parker 13 Tom Cheatham Parker Surratt
15 Doragene Gurganus Kate Small-Shell 16 Doug Russell
18 Susan Jackson 20 Marjorie Carano 22 Zachariah Bradshaw Kevin Clamser Sr.
Melinda Sizemore 23 Kate Becker 25 Erik Everhart
Marie Millington 26 Olivia Wilson 28 Mark Bergman
29 Kathy Chrien Heidi Paulson Kathleen Williams 30 Wilson Horton
Avery Mills 31 Amanda Sizemore
Acolytes (9 a.m.)
7 Kendall Bauer 14 Laurel Meitrodt 21 Kate Pottle 28 Addie Kitchens
Acolytes (11 a.m.) 7 Susan Jackson
14 Jody Pfeffer 21 Susan Jackson 28 Adam Russell
Altar Guild 7 Ruth Farabee, Debbie Farabee 14 Irma Forger, Fran Denninger
21 Larry & Alice Hovis 28 Lynn Mickley, Mari-Louise Rannow
Caregivers 7 Sue Dresher 14 Becky Knott
21 Jody Pfeffer 28 Frances Lamb
Communion Assistants (9 a.m.) 7 Billy Mason 14 Dan & Susan Dresher 21 Larry & Tammi Gates
28 Joe & Lynn Mickley Communion Assistants (11 a.m.)
7 Betty Huggins 14 Tom Bertelsen, Irma Forger 21 Robin Hueskes, Susan Jackson
28 Ralph & Melinda Sizemore Communion Guild (9 a.m.) 7 Helen Romeo, Michelle Beasley
14 Susan Bolger 21 Bev Friese 28 Lynn Mickley
Communion Guild (11 a.m.) 7 Kathryn Crutchfield, Christa Gerfelder
14 Larry Hovis 21 Kay Kruklitis 28 Jessie Miars
Crucifers 7 Ralph Sizemore
14 Bob Erickson 21 Ralph Sizemore 28 Ralph Sizemore
Greeters (9 a.m.)
7 Bob & Joyce Throop 14 David & Sharon Smith 21 Dave & Voncile Echevarria 28 Larry & Becky Knott
Greeters (11 a.m.) 7 Robin Hueskes, Melissa Talley
14 Ralph & Melinda Sizemore 21 Louisa Miars 28 Fran & Walt Denninger
Monday Night Dinner 1 Betsy Rullman, Mary Rullman, Anita Heston, Mike Leiser, John Gibbons, Laurel Meitrodt, Tara Law, Lucy Holman, Teresa Cox 8 Anita Heston, Mike Leiser, Jim Bauer, Laurel Meitrodt, Tara Law, Lucy Holman, Cathy & Dave Cummins, Teresa Cox 15 Peter Miars, Bob Erickson, Steve & Judy Beach, Joe & Lynn Mickley, John Gibbons 22 Linda Evans, Judi & Allan Pellnat, John Gibbons 29 Beth Pottle & family, Anita Heston, Lee Weddle, John Gibbons
Readers (9 a.m.)
7 Billy Mason 14 Sally Gibbons 21 Ron Jamieson
28 Nancy Martin
Readers (11 a.m.) 7 Betty Huggins
14 Lynda Shell 21 Lynne Ashcraft 28 Becky Mansfield
Ushers (9 a.m.) 7 Billy Mason, Eric Mason 14 Larry & Becky Knott
21 Fran Bolger, Robert Rehder 28 Archie Barringer, David Smith
Ushers (11 a.m.)
7 Peter Miars, Julian Burnett, Matt Fox, Allen Mason 14 Betty Huggins, Lynda Shell,
Bettielou Weddle, Jody Pfeffer 21 Jere Walton, Ralph & Melinda Sizemore, Irma Forger, Mark
Bergman 28 Mike Walton, Lee Weddle, Reed Higgins, Ron Ackerly
St. Paul’s Epistle Page 5
JULY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS JULY BIRTHDAYS
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
6:3
0 p
.m.
Ste
ward
ship
Team
Mtg
. (L
ibra
ry)
7 p
.m.
Monday N
ight
Com
munit
y D
inner
(Keever)
2
9 a
.m.
Quilt
ing W
ork
shop
(Keeve
r)
2:4
5 p
.m.
Sta
ff M
eeting
(Lib
rary
)
8:3
0 p
.m.
Gate
way
NA
(Keeve
r)
3
4:3
0 p
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Ste
phen M
inis
-
try
(Lib
rary
)
5:3
0 p
.m.
Pra
yer
Gro
up
6:3
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.m.
Churc
h C
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(Parl
or)
4 I
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Day
Churc
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lose
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6 p
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TO
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Parl
or)
5
Churc
h O
ffic
e C
lose
d
6
3 p
.m.
Walk
ing T
all
(Keever)
7
9 a
.m.
Cele
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ice
11 a
.m.
Tra
ditio
nal W
ors
hip
8
6:3
0 p
.m.
Counci
l M
eet-
ing (
Annex)
7 p
.m.
Monday N
ight
Com
munit
y D
inner
(Keever)
9
9 a
.m. Q
uilt
ing W
ork
shop
(Keeve
r)
2 p
.m.
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e 4
(Port
City
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house
)
2:4
5 p
.m. Sta
ff M
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ate
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6 p
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12
13
10 a
.m.
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on
10 a
.m.
Gate
way N
A
(Keever)
14
9 a
.m.
Cele
bra
tion S
erv
ice
11 a
.m.
Tra
ditio
nal W
ors
hip
15
9 a
.m.
Pro
ject
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us
(Keever)
7 p
.m.
Monday
Nig
ht
Com
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munity
Din
ner
(Keeve
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9 a
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shop
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Churc
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(Parl
or)
18
6 p
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TO
PS (
Parl
or)
6:3
0 p
.m.
Evangelism
Team
Meeting (
Lib
rary
)
19
20
5 p
.m.
Walk
ing T
all
(Keever)
21
9 a
.m.
Cele
bra
tion S
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11 a
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Tra
ditio
nal W
ors
hip
2:3
0 p
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Ste
phen M
inis
try
(Parlor)
22
7 p
.m.
Monday N
ight
Com
munit
y D
inner
(Keever)
23
9 a
.m.
Quilt
ing W
ork
shop
(Keeve
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2:4
5 p
.m.
Sta
ff M
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(Lib
rary
)
8:3
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Gate
way
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(Keeve
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24
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Pra
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6:3
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Churc
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(Parl
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25
6 p
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TO
PS (
Parl
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26
27
5 p
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all
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9 a
.m.
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VB
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ditio
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7 p
.m.
Monday N
ight
Com
munit
y D
inner
(Keever)
30
9 a
.m.
Quilt
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ork
shop
(Keeve
r)
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(Lib
rary
)
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Churc
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