The Epistle St. Paul Lutheran Church of Bulverde 29797 US Hwy 281 N, Bulverde, TX 78163 Phone (830) 980-2813 — Fax (830) 980-9756 [email protected]Sunday Schedule Worship Services 8:30AM & 10:45AM Holy Communion Every Sunday at both services Adult Christian Education 9:40AM Sunday School 9:40AM St Paul Lutheran Staff Ministers All People of St. Paul Senior Pastor Lee R. Harder Youth Minister Meredith Ehler Office Manager/Bookkeeper Sherry Schneider Christian Day School Director Music/Media Director Paul Angulo Facilities Manager Ron Norman 2015 Council Members President/Worship Liaison Randy Fischer Vice President and Shauna Weaver Staff and Special Tasks Liaison Treasurer Brian Meuth Secretary and Ministry Team Liaison Libye Nuernberg Fellowship Team Liaison Tibby Armke Education Liaison Sandy Chapman Cemetery and Memorial Liaison H.L. Saur Property & Grounds Liaison Don Bragg Evangelism Team Liaison Shawn Sande July Newsletter www.lcmc.net St. Paul Vacaon Bible School Sunday, July 19- Thursday, July 23 Dinner: 5:30pm-6:15pm VBS Acvies for (3 year olds-Adults) 6:15pm-8:30pm It is hard to believe but Vacaon Bible School is just around the corner! VBS is our opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ with our children & adults, as well as children & adults from the community. This year VBS will focus on stories that help us learn what it means to live a life in step with the Holy Spirit. We are looking for your support to make this ministry successful! Below are some ways you can support the VBS Ministry at St. Paul. #1. Register your family or yourself. St. Paul’s VBS is unique because we have something to offer the enre family. VBS acvies range from 3 years old-adults. Join us each evening for dinner and then acvies! Please register by July 12 at www.redroofchurch.org. #2. Volunteer to help. We are looking for high school youth & adults who want to help out with the children, serving dinner & behind the scenes with VBS. Please volunteer by July 12. You can volunteer at www.redroofchurch.org. #3. Spread the Word. We have been adversing for VBS, but the best adversement is word of mouth! Invite a friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member to join us! We need your help in spreading the word about this ministry. #4. Pray for the VBS Ministry. We have a lot of people working hard to make this ministry possible and God has great things in store for the week of VBS. Please keep this ministry in your prayers and ask God to send us to children, youth & adults He has prepared for this ministry!!! If you have quesons, please contact Meredith Ehler at [email protected]. Website www.redroofchurch.org
Transcript
The Epistle
S t . P a u l L u t h e r a n C h u r c h o f B u l v e r d e
Secretary and Ministry Team Liaison Libye Nuernberg
Fellowship Team Liaison Tibby Armke
Education Liaison Sandy Chapman
Cemetery and Memorial Liaison H.L. Saur
Property & Grounds Liaison Don Bragg
Evangelism Team Liaison Shawn Sande
July Newsletter
www.lcmc.net
St. Paul Vacation Bible School
Sunday, July 19-
Thursday, July 23
Dinner: 5:30pm-6:15pm
VBS Activities for (3 year olds-Adults) 6:15pm-8:30pm
It is hard to believe but Vacation Bible School is just around the corner! VBS is our opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ with our children & adults, as well as children &
adults from the community. This year VBS will focus on stories that help us learn what it means to live a life in step
with the Holy Spirit. We are looking for your support to make this ministry successful! Below are some ways you
can support the VBS Ministry at St. Paul.
#1. Register your family or yourself. St. Paul’s VBS is unique because we have something to offer the entire family. VBS
activities range from 3 years old-adults. Join us each evening for dinner and then activities! Please register by
July 12 at www.redroofchurch.org.
#2. Volunteer to help. We are looking for high school youth & adults who want to help out with the children,
serving dinner & behind the scenes with VBS. Please volunteer by July 12. You can volunteer at
www.redroofchurch.org.
#3. Spread the Word. We have been advertising for VBS, but the best advertisement is word of mouth! Invite a
friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member to join us! We need your help in spreading the word about this
ministry.
#4. Pray for the VBS Ministry. We have a lot of people working hard to make this ministry possible and God has great things in store for the week of VBS. Please keep this
ministry in your prayers and ask God to send us to children, youth & adults He has prepared for this ministry!!!
If you have questions, please contact Meredith Ehler at [email protected].
Grace and peace to all this sunny, warm July from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As the camera zeros in on her feet wearing the “Ruby Slippers”, Dorothy clicks her heels
three times as she repeats those special, magical words, “There’s no place like home.”
Karen and I left for Minnesota following the second service Sunday morning, June 7th.
Eager is an understatement on how we felt, but that eagerness was seasoned liberally with the feeling of calm
peace. We now have a new office manager in Sherry Schneider. By the middle of this month, Andy Cave, our
new youth minister, will be arriving. Then so all is good, Meredith and the baby are doing fine and can begin
the transition to part time with ease. I leave with the knowledge everything is okay.
We couldn’t wait to see the kids and the grandchildren. Barring some work on a sermon (I can’t quite leave
work all behind), I can be “Papa”, read, relax and enjoy. It’s been a year since we saw the northern elements
of the “Harder” clan or I took some vacation time. Seeing them will be a touch of heaven.
I also know something else. After spending 2 1/2 weeks away from home, from Jessie (our Golden Retriever
and fourth child—the hairy one), and from our friends and family at St. Paul, I’ve got to agree with Dorothy.
There’s no place like home.
The following is written for our children who sometimes read the Epistle. We love you and would not short
change any time we can spend with each of you. You make us proud. As to the grandkids — God has
blessed us with great grandchildren. Being “Papa” is worth millions. I wouldn’t trade the feeling it gives me
for anything. Yet, as much fun as we had, the level of activity can start to become a little overwhelming. This
next may sound selfish and is not intended to be, but after awhile, I miss my chair, my shower, and my toilet
(Karen’s going to hurt me for that one). I miss the routine because it means I’m home and there’s no place like
home.
That should be the way we feel as Christians living in this hectic world of ours. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a
wonderful place (despite the problems we have made). After all, God made it for us. Why shouldn’t it be
wonderful? It’s just not home.
Home is where our heart is. It should be a place where we feel a contentment, a belonging. God made us to
belong with Him in heaven. That’s home.
No matter how good we have it here, how wonderful the people we share our lives with everyday are, whether
near (like our St. Paul family) or far (our precious children and grandchildren, family and friends), it’s still not
home.
God intended us to share eternity with Him as companions. Even when we messed up, He provided the means
to still return home through Christ our Lord. Let us spend our days getting ready for our homecoming by
living with Christ in our hearts. We don’t need ruby slippers, just faith in God’s promise of eternity. There’s
no place like home with Him.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Lee
LCMC Texas District Mission Team Update
With great expectations for all that God has in store for us, we are pleased to announce the hiring of Pastor Bryce Formwalt as the LCMC Texas District Director of Mission Growth. The official start date of the position is to be determined,
but estimated to be sometime in the middle of July.
Responsibilities
1. Contact LCMC Texas District congregations and identify congregations that need revitalization and provide tools and resources for the local church itself to step in the right direction to become more alive and faithful in its life and Great Commission response.
2. Identify congregations that are willing and able to establish “daughter” churches in neighboring areas drawing on the serious commitment of their own people and resources.
3. Identify and provide financial and other resources, with accountability for action, to those efforts that have been identified.
4. Identify church planters and provide training for the purpose of establishing worshipping communities in Texas.
5. Reports to the LCMC Texas District Council and attends its meetings.
6. Serve as Director of the Mission Team to inspire and promote active support in prayer, help in discerning need and encouragement in the district work of planting and revitalizing churches in Texas.
7. Lead meetings of the Mission Team at least quarterly with special meetings as needed.
8. Visits District congregations to promote mission mindedness and garner support of the Mission work.
9. Oversees Mission Team budget as approved by District Council.
The next LCMC Texas District Mission Team Meeting is scheduled for July 18 2015 at St. Paul, New Braunfels, TX. (10 AM to Noon). If you would like to serve on this important mission team, please contact Jack Davis and plan to accompany him to the July 18th meeting.
Deep in The Heart Dates
July 31 - August 1
Registration begins at 5:30 PM on Friday. The event will conclude at 3:30 PM on Saturday.
Where:
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church 4102 North Ben Jordan Street
Victoria, TX 77901
Registration; Adult: 18 and up $30, Children under 18 is free
Focus
As is our custom in LCMC, we will focus our energies on Christ, Fellowship and Mission. We will
handle some business, but it will be kept to a minimum. There will be a number of breakout sessions and ministry displays as resources.
Keynote Speakers
Pastor John Waak, Host Pastor
Pastor Enrique Estrada, Mexico Mission International
Pastor Bryce Formwalt, Texas District's new Director of Mission Growth
Have questions about LCMC Texas District 7th Annual Convention 2015?
The Breakfast Bible Bunch will not meet during the month of July
because VBS starts on Sunday, July 19.
Young Adult Ministry
The St. Paul Young Adult Ministry is open to all who are 18-30ish years old. We meet
for fellowship, mission and Bible Study. In July we will meet on 7/6 & 7/27 for dinner
and Bible Study from 6:30pm-8pm at the Ehler’s House.
Our Thursday study on the book of Acts continues through out the month of July.
Every Thursday at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 6:30 pm we explore this extension of
the Gospel of Luke as the church of Christ begins to spread and grow.
Please stop by and check out one of our classes. Make it a great day, which is any
day we are enriched by God’s Word.
.
The Adult Christian Education (ACE) Schedule for July 2015
Sunday ACE classes meet at 9:40 AM. Pastor Lee’s Bible Study is continuing in July on the Book of Acts and meets Thursdays at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM Our leaders are dedicated and well qualified disciples that spend much time preparing for the classes Please plan to attend at least one class of your choice Sunday Classes Class led by Jeff Smith meets in the ACE (Portable) building This class will meet during the summer and is studying the Epistle 1st John Class led by Dean & Kathy Krueger meets in the Luther Room This class will meet during the summer but not meet on July 5,2015. Dean and Kathy Krueger's 9:40 AM Sunday A.C.E. class will begin a new study on July 12, "Angels in the Bible and Legend." What are angels? Are there categories of angels? Are they male of female? Do they all fly? Do they eat and drink? Are they warriors? Messengers? Prophets? Choir members? Do you have your own guardian angel? Come to the Luther Room A.C.E. class and discover the answers in God's Holy Word! Class led by Mike Scott meets in the choir room This class will continue during the summer with a new topic on Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan. The current five-session small group Bible study, In The Dust of The Rabbi, by noted teacher and historian, Ray Vander Laan, is volume 6 of the 12-part Faith Lessons series and the new topic(s) will be reported later. In this volume, Vander Laan follows in the footsteps of Jesus and His selection of the disciples, the geography, and culture of that time. Filmed on location in Israel, Faith Lessons is a unique video series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals unique insights into the Scriptures' significance for modern believers. Class led by Ingrid Lingle meets in the office area workroom This class is not meeting during the summer and will begin again on August 16, 2015. The topic will be: "The Church in Babylon" When we reject God, we invite judgment. This was true of the Israelites, and is also true of our nation today. The book of Jeremiah should motivate us to be faithful in a pagan culture that is under the judgment of God. Tuesday Women’s class which meets in the Fellowship Hall is led by Connie Osborn Hello Sisters in Christ! The Promised Land by Ray Vander Laan, who illuminates the historical geographical and cultural context of the sacred scriptures is a video study. Our 2nd study following The Promised Land series is entitled Prophets and Kings is in progress and will continue during the summer. This lesson will transform you to be a true follower of Jesus. .
Next class
Sunday, July 19th
at
12:00 Noon
Our focus for mission in the month of July
Please get mission minded so that every third Sunday of the month you set aside a gift for our
designated monthly mission emphasis. This goes above and beyond our regular giving because the
need is great. Sometimes our monthly emphasis will be local, sometimes beyond. Whatever the
case, there is a genuine need we can help support.
Don’t forget that the second Sunday of every month you are asked to bring a non-perishable food
item or money as a much needed gift and contribution to Provisions, our local food shelf. Every
single can or box is greatly needed and appreciated. Thanks for caring.
For Your Consideration: A Much Needed Donation
Provisions Outreach, the Bulverde-area food pantry that is near and dear to our hearts and serves so many of our neighbors, is hoping to obtain a cargo van for long-term loaner use or as a gift, to use to travel back and forth to the
SA Food Bank and to make other pickups and deliveries as needed. We recognize that this is a really BIG request. But we have faith that somewhere out there is a friend or donor who could make this happen for us. We would be more than happy to drive a van that sports the logo and colors of a business or dealership to promote the business
that gives us a van for much needed transport services. Or we are more than happy to accept a reliable, lovingly used van that still has some life and AC in it so we can travel to the San Antonio Food Bank for produce and other
free offerings that help to defray our expenses and serve our clients. I am asking our St. Paul family to consider this request for a bit…give it some thought, ask around if you have friends or business associates who may consider
making this gift. Thanks so much everyone!!! And please, feel free to get in touch with me if you would like to dis-cuss this further. ~~ Weslea Miller ~~ 210.316.1940 ~~ [email protected]
Help the Mission Team with supplies for the children and women in Guatemala.
Needed:
Spiral notebooks (1 subject with plain covers)
24 count pkg. of crayons
12 count pkg. of colored pencils
Erasers-that go on the end of a pencil
Pencils
Pens
Gallon size Ziploc Bags with sliders
Bring supplies and place in the container in the narthex. Items needed by Sunday, July 12.
GUATEMALA UPDATE
The Guatemala Team is busily preparing for our trip to Jalapa. There are so many details
to accomplish before we actually leave. Last month we got our schedule of departure
time and this always makes the trip seem real. Thinking about packing all the supplies we
will have collected and meeting our missionaries Julie and David at the Guatemala City
airport, raises the level of excitement for us all.
Even though a large focus for our trip will be with the children of the Safe House and the children in our schools, we also
look forward to encouraging the Suttons in the ministry they overlook in Jalapa. Being away from their families in the
United States and dealing with a different way to live has to be often times difficult. They often face unique challenges
with the children and young women in the Safe House. They are also raising a Guatemalan child, Ian, who they brought
into their home after he was found abandoned in an alley way. The Suttons are a blessing to us and the team hopes to
bring encouragement and blessings to them so they feel and know they are not alone in their journey doing the work of
the Lord.
This month we will be collecting school supplies for the children we go to see in the mountain schools that surround
Jalapa. We thank you ahead of time for helping collect these supplies so the children we see can have basic school items,
like pencils, notebooks, colors, etc.
Again, we are so grateful for your support. You have participated and partnered with us in every fund raiser so we feel
very encouraged knowing we have your support before our trip, during our trip, and afterwards!
In Christ’s mission,
Guatemala Team
Prayer Warriors
We love to know your praises and continued concerns. The prayer warriors are in continuous prayer for all! Please contact Lucy Walker, Stella Ross or the church office for your prayer requests:
Prayer Warriors: Pastor Harder, Pastor Ofsdahl, Lucy Walker, Cindy ’Boo’ Peek, Lynn Rosenfeld, Sharon Knibbe,
Dagi Fischer, Stella Ross, Laura Sprowls, Gloria Krueger, Marjorie Rothchild, and Connie Osborn.
...are continually praying for you according to God’s will in all circumstances through Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Nicole Hlavka
Mark & Debra Harder
Helmut Kleve
Shirley Remmert
Ruth Lytle
Grace Kaeppel
Gloria Krueger
Jimmy Cox
Jean Miller
Debra Saur & Family
Viola Howard
Vance Rittiman
Lauren & Spencer
Wilson
Emily Hagedon
David McCord
Adam Segal
Amanda Graham
Nancy Sprowls
In this fast-paced, noisy world, quiet time is a precious commodity. If cell phones aren’t ringing, the dog is barking or the kids are arguing. If the television isn’t on, a CD player is blaring nearby. If people aren’t talking, your computer is telling you that “You’ve got mail!”.
It’s important that you pick out a time and place to be with God – away from cell phones, TVs, computers and noise in general. To ready your heart for a meaningful time of prayer, adopt the three habits recommended by David Jeremiah. First, anticipate His presence. God is coming to see you. His sole desire is to spend precious moments with you. Second, acknowledge that God is now present, sitting in the chair beside you, ready to listen to your petitions and give you advice and direction. Finally, acclimate your mind, body, and heart to receive and accept His word and direction.
Once you have told Him everything that’s on your mind, make sure you spend some time listening. Open your ears and your heart to what God has to say. God is ever ready to help us seek peace and quiet in this hectic world. So enter that quiet place, remembering that when you pray, He will listen. Once you’ve said “Amen”, remain silent and listen, for God is also ready to speak and to guide you through this life. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8). Amid His presence you will receive His courage and strength to meet the day. What a wonderful God we have!
Excerpts taken from “Power Prayers” by Donna K. Maltese
St. Paul Children, Youth & Family Ministries “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress
them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk
along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” -Deuteronomy 6:6-7
The VBS TEAM
will meet on
Monday, July 6
at 4:00pm in the
church office.
Welcome Andrew!!
A Big St. Paul Welcome to our new Youth
Minister, Andrew Cave. He will begin his new
position on July 15. He will be working with our
6th-12th Grade Youth. Please be sure to
introduce yourself when you see him around
St. Paul!
Vacation Bible School
July 19-23, 2015
Register to participate or volunteer for VBS at www.redroofchurch.org. Register by July 12, 2015.
VBS will be in the evenings from 5:30pm-8:30pm. All children 3 years old and older are invited to attend!
Gaming with God: Summer Sunday School
All children 4 years-5th grade are invited to join us every Sunday from
July 12-August 23 from 9:40am-10:35am in the Middle School SS
Room. We will be learning how some of our favorite board games can
teach us Bible lessons! Join us for checkers, chess, operation, LIFE,
Connect 4 & more!!!
We ask that all children who participate in activities have a “2014-2015
Basic Information Form and Permission Slip” on file.
Middle School & High School Summer Sunday School
From Sundays, July 12-August 2 this group will be participating in the God’s Not Dead Bible Study
Series led by Connor James. They will meet in the High School Youth Room from 9:40am-10:35am. This
will be a great series that you will not want to miss!!
.SPLC Annual Youth Garage Sale
Start your Spring cleaning and save your stuff for the Annual SPLC Youth Garage Sale to be held August 8th, 2015.
We would like all the stuff you are done with! Such as household items, games, toys, puzzle, decorations, etc. We will only be
accepting donations of CLEAN infant to youth size clothing and coats of any size in good condition. Please no
undergarments, girls’ swimsuits, or any shoes/flip flops!
Our second collection/drop off date is Sunday, July 19th. We will have a trailer at church for items to be dropped off from
8:00 am until 11:45 am. After the late service, you can go to Sherwood Storage (located on FM 311 next to M & S Engineering) from Noon – 2 pm that day. Youth and adults will be there to assist with unloading.
Thanks in advance for your support of the garage sale!
Please contact Lorie Winkler @ 830-832-4375 or Kelly Schumacher @ 210-875-2795 if you have any questions!
Attention All Bakers: As part of the St. Paul Lutheran Church Youth Garage Sale on Saturday,
August 8 the youth will be hosting a bake sale to support research for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). All
proceeds from the Bake Sale will go directly to the National MS Society. We need your help and
would appreciate your donation of baked goods.
If you are interested in donating baked goods, please contact Thomas Von Buettner at
[email protected] or Abby Winkler. Please wrap and bring all donations (ready to sell)
as individual or whole items. Baked items can be brought to the Christian Faith Center on Friday,
August 7 from 9am-noon or on Saturday, August 8 at 8am.
Please feel free to pass this information along to other bakers who might like to help. Thank you!
