St. Paul's Announcements

The May 2010 newsletter is available for viewing on the church web site, at the following:

http://stpaulsefree.org/news/newsletter

The Youth Ministry is having a Car Wash this Saturday, May 8th, on the Youth House parking lot, from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  A snack bar, with barbeque hot dogs and soda, and hanging flower baskets will also be for sale.  A clean car and a hanging basket would make a great gift for Mom this Mother's Day weekend.

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

The Spring weather has me thinking of gardening. I'm getting a late start this year because of my extended stay in Germany, but tomorrow I hope to get out and start doing some planting. This time of year, the world is full of "all things new."

All Things New is also the title of the sermon on Sunday, from Acts 11:1-18. The Apostles faced difficulties in sharing the Gospel with Gentiles. Did the Gentiles have to be circumcised, follow Jewish food laws, participate in Jewish cleansing laws?

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

Tim Dahl and I are sending out this e-mail from Berlin, Germany, where we are currently staying with Andy and Claudia Rauhut. If you have been watching the news, you know that virtually all air travel in Europe has been grounded because of the volcano.

After our flight was cancelled this morning, the earliest flight we could book was next Friday, April 23rd. However, we are now considering taking a bus south to Madrid, Spain (about 1600 miles) where there is a possibility of getting a flight back to somewhere in the USA.

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

Tomorrow the Good Friday service will include ancient and modern hymns, a solo by Jesse Oros, pew communion, special music by the St. Paul's Chorale, and a service of light into darkness that ends with, "Were you There When They Crucified My Lord."

Pre-service meditation begins at 7:15, so come early to contemplate during the special music prepared by Lois Percival, Shelly Pickard (O Divine Redeemer) and Beverly Field (Vocalise).

I bind unto myself today  . . .

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

Holy Week is upon us. Barbara van Dyk told me that we have reached $4400 in our Haiti Lenten Challenge, and that we only need $600 to reach our goal. Let's make sure we surpass that by this weekend! Remember, this goes for a rebuilding base camp in Haiti.

We are a little slim on sign-ups for our Good Friday prayer vigil. I will have a prayer sheet prepared by sometime tomorrow. I hope that you can come to the church and pray sometime on Good Friday during the day.

St. Paul's Congregation,

As we prepare our building for Holy Week, we could use some help.  Our fabulous Facilities Caretaker, Clay, will continue to be on medical leave, due to his unexpected heart procedure last week.  So, we are looking for a few volunteers on Thursday or Friday to help with moving and set up of some tables and chairs, and simple cleaning of vacuuming and gathering trash.   If you can help for a short time on either of these days, please contact the church office, at 314-993-0015, or email at stpauls@stpaulsefree.org

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

Palm Sunday, March 28, points to the start of Holy Week, and the last minute preparations for Easter. We take a lot of time to prepare for Christmas, and Easter deserves the same. After all, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of our entire faith. Here are some of the special events of Holy Week:

• Sunday, March 28: The church has been beautifully decorated by Frank May and the Altar Committee with many, many palms.

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

This Sunday, our Confirmands will present nine mini-sermons to our St. Paul's Congregation. The sermons are based on the EFCA Doctrinal Statement. Amelia Teare will present her mini-sermon on Maundy Thursday, April 1.

• God: Who is God?

Our Lectionary Reading this Sunday takes us to the Parable of the Two Sons, also known as the Parable of the Lost Son. The sermon, A Father's Love, will encourage us to meditate on the extravagant love of God. Parents, Grandparents, and all who work with children will be encouraged to "treat your children the same way the Heavenly Father treats you."

We will receive three new members on Sunday in the second service: Mark and Marie Braton; Jessie Oros.

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

Tomorrow, Ron and Barb Quigley will take you to the Sea of Galilee, and the surrounding area, where Jesus fed the 5000 and preached the Sermon on the Mount. Join us for supper at 6:00, testimonies at 6:45, hymn sing at 7:10, and worship at 7:30. (Focus and Fusion meet at the same time).

Also, my sister, Martha, is reading through the Bible this year. She blogs everyday about what she has read, and has interesting insights.