Page 1 ST. PAUL’S UCC NEWSLETTER JULY 2017 103 South Second Street Marthasville, MO 63357 (636) 433-2482 [email protected]www.stpaulsuccmo.org A Loving Church, Making a Difference in the World Letter from the Pastor This month we are hosting an event with the Eastern Association here at church—a town hall meeting, about doing shared ministry with other churches or organizations. The meeting will be held here, at St. Paul’s, on July 13 th at 7:00pm, and is really talking about smaller churches that are struggling to keep the doors open, vision, and looking at what lies ahead for them and their congregants. Anyone is welcome to attend—let me or Susan know if you’d be interested (also see pg. 6 of this newsletter). There is something else that got me thinking about this newsletter. I had a meeting with some other people who are planning this meeting, and during the discussion, there was a question posed. The question was “Are there places where we’ve failed to carry out God’s will because we’ve chosen not to?” This really got me to thinking. There are a lot of reasons that we may not choose to carry that will out. Sometimes it’s because we’re simply scared. Doing so would require change, and fear of that change is a very real thing. It can disrupt traditions or things that we hold dear. Fear of the unknown is another reason. Not knowing how something will turn out can lead to hesitation. Sometimes it may simply be because we don’t want to do whatever we’re called to. We may not like the direction we’re being called, or we may think that we know better and want to do things our own way. As I sit and mull over this statement, I wonder, what would it look like if these road blocks weren’t in our way? I know that we are all human and that these are very much part of the human condition. They won’t ever fully go away and, rightly, shouldn’t. But the flipside of that token is that we have faith. We know the promises that God gives us and the charge to car ry out God’s work. So, let’s stop and look at those places. What obstacles keep us from carrying out God’s will? Let’s see what we can do that will not only help us keep growing the church, but also turns us outward to look at our surroundings that we might see how we can best help people that may be outside our church group. And most importantly, let’s try to focus on the roadblocks that may stop us from being willing to explore God’s plans. After all, if we can find ways to carry out this will, we and the church, will be better for it. See you in the pews, Pastor Jeff
This month we are hosting an event with the Eastern Association here at church—a town hall meeting, about doing shared ministry with other churches or organizations. The meeting will be held here, at St. Paul’s, on July 13th at 7:00pm, and is really talking about smaller churches that are struggling to keep the doors open, vision, and looking at what lies ahead for them and their congregants. Anyone is welcome to attend—let me or Susan know if you’d be interested (also see pg. 6 of this newsletter).
There is something else that got me thinking about this newsletter. I had a meeting with some other people who are planning this meeting, and during the discussion, there was a question posed. The question was “Are there places where we’ve failed to carry out God’s will because we’ve chosen not to?” This really got me to thinking. There are a lot of reasons that we may not choose to carry that will out.
Sometimes it’s because we’re simply scared. Doing so would require change, and fear of that change is a very real thing. It can disrupt traditions or things that we hold dear. Fear of the unknown is another reason. Not knowing how something will turn out can lead to hesitation. Sometimes it may simply be because we don’t want to do whatever we’re called to. We may not like the direction we’re being called, or we may think that we know better and want to do things our own way.
As I sit and mull over this statement, I wonder, what would it look like if these road blocks weren’t in our way? I know that we are all human and that these are very much part of the human condition. They won’t ever fully go away and, rightly, shouldn’t. But the flipside of that token is that we have faith. We know the promises that God gives us and the charge to carry out God’s work.
So, let’s stop and look at those places. What obstacles keep us from carrying out God’s will? Let’s see what we can do that will not only help us keep growing the church, but also turns us outward to look at our surroundings that we might see how we can best help people that may be outside our church group. And most importantly, let’s try to focus on the roadblocks that may stop us from being willing to explore God’s plans. After all, if we can find ways to carry out this will, we and the church, will be better for it.
HELPING HANDS MINISTRY The Missions Committee is looking
for someone to lead this ministry.
See Harvey Cramer with questions
or inquiries.
Many thanks to all who helped
make the steak dinner a success!
Although all figures are not yet in,
this event profited
roughly $2600.
Proceeds will benefit the Parsonage Renovation/
Building Fund, pending on Congregational Vote.
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Mission Moment
Heritage Cluster
“Faith in Action”
is collecting
300 cans (no jars please)
Pasta/Spaghetti sauce &
50 cans of chicken for Meals-on-Wheels recipients.
Deadline: September 10th
Thanks for your participation!
“Blessing of the Pets Service”
July 16, 2017 Service of Worship will be held outside.
Bring your pets and lawn chairs.
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Altar flowers:
June 4: to the glory of God, by the congregation. June 11: in memory of Harold Lange’s birthday (June 10), and Lorena Lange’s birthday (June 12), and in honor of Nick & Kendall Lange’s wedding anniversary (June 12), by Lange families.
**Extra arrangement in honor of Darrell & Linda Hasenjaeger’s 26th wedding Anniversary on June 8th. June 18: in honor of Jacob & Isaiah DeVore’s anniversaries of baptism on June 19th and June 20th, respectively.
June 25: in memory of Clinton Buescher, whose birthday was June 27, 1931.
NOTE: Consider sponsoring the altar flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one, a special
date, or just because…Sign-up sheets for altar flowers are in the lobby. The flowers are yours to take with you after the service of worship.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
**Anyone who is interested in joining St. Paul’s UCC should contact Pastor Jeff
or the church office.**
Adult Social Connection will break for the summer and resume again in September.
Attendance at the Concerts in the Park is encouraged
throughout the summer months.
Friday, july 28th “mike aperion three”
(Classic Rock, 80s Rock/Blues/Jazz)
Fri., aug. 25th—“George portz & friends of bluegrass” (Bluegrass)
Friday, september 22nd—“one more round” (Classic Rock)
Concerts are held the 4th Friday of each month at the Marthasville City Park Pavilion at 7:30pm.
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Services of Worship
9:30am
Pastor Jeff Mueller, Resident Pastor
July 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th
Ushers
Rachel R. (lead) Patty Thornton Phyllis Sontag Jim Buescher Cindy Buescher
Kay Buhr (lead) Ken Painter Maurice Mittler Karla Aholt Harvey Cramer
Terri Ogle (lead) Russell Kersten Marigene Kersten John Presser Nancy Presser
Nick L. (lead) Tony Rohe Curt Rohe Jacob DeVore Diane Freese
Bob Barron (lead) Maggie Barron Bo Sida Karen Sida Cathie Schoppenhorst
• What other countries celebrate the Fourth of July? Denmark, England, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. Denmark Danes and Norwegians celebrate American Independence Day because thousands emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s. Other European countries, like England, Portugal, and Sweden, hold celebrations near American military bases and/or spots frequented by American tourists to boost travel during early July.
• John Adams would think the country is celebrating Independence Day on the wrong date… Adams wrote that July 2nd, the date the Second Continental Congress voted in Philadelphia to declare independence from Britain, not July 4th, would be the day patriots celebrated their freedom. “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epoch in the history of America,” Adams wrote on July 3rd. “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations form one End of this Continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”
• How did Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Contest begin (Coney Island, New York)? It apparently started after a disagreement among four immigrants over who was the most patriotic.
• Is there something written on the back of the Declaration of Independence? Yes. It might not be a treasure map as Nicholas Cage’s character claims in “National Treasure,” but there is apparently a message written upside down at the bottom of the signed document: “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th of July 1776.” It is not known who wrote it or when. Since parchment was usually rolled up during the Revolutionary War years, it’s thought this memo served as a label.
• What year did the Fourth of July become a legal federal holiday? 1938
July 4th FUN FACTS:
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PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER
The family of Melanie Jenkins, who passed away 6/14/17; family of Virginia Leesmann, who passed away; family of Ilene Ruether (of Concord Hill), who passed away; Helene Krampe—broken hip; student of Susie Thierbach—luekemia; Mabel Eichmeyer—pacemaker; Carrie Deeker—recovering at home; Don Buescher—recovering at home after stent placement; Russell Kersten—recovering at home from diverticulitis; Finbarr Dowling—in Mercy Rehab; Dennis Phillips (owner of Philly’s Pizza)—car accident; Paul Schlotzhauer (friend of the Stegners)—dementia; Ralph Jennerjohn—health issues; Mark Jones—health issues; one-year-old grandson of Joyce Marek (friend of Debbie Garbs)—brain tumor; Cal & Betty Tameler (Brenda Roloff’s parents)—health issues; Leonard Lutz—health issues; Eldon & Sue Green—health issues; Angela Gray—health issues; Gail DeVore Morris—health issues.
Those Battling Cancer: Dana Corver, Bill Corver, Connie Burkhardt, Ralph Roloff, Ingrid Carney, Michelle Mueller, James Weatherly, Eric Moritz, Scott Auby, Donnie Kopmann, Jim Grafrath, Ron Palitzsch, Leonard Lutz, Dale Krampe, Tim Palitzsch.
Those serving in the Military: Devon Martin, Caleb & Sarah Murphy, & others seeking to faithfully serve God & Country!
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Please remember those who are not always able to worship with us at St.
Paul’s UCC. Remember them in prayer, with a visit, card, or a phone call:
Sue Green Rev. Dale & Helene Krampe Vera Mittler The Arbors at Victorian Manor Homestead at Hickory View NHC Healthcare Please send all correspondence to: 1481 Marbach Dr., Apt. 225 35 Sugar Maple Ln. 105 Rottman Drive Washington, MO 63090 St. Charles, MO 63303 Marthasville, MO 63357 314-974-3784 Vada Hinnah Norma Sutter The Arbors at South Pointe (address unknown) 5129 Old Hwy. 100, Room 10 Washington, MO 63090
—Meals on Wheels— If anyone needs or knows of anyone who needs home-delivered meals from the Warren County Senior Center, please contact the center at 636-456-3379. Volunteers are also needed to deliver meals.
