Worship together 8:30 & 10:45 at St Paul Lutheran!  
MARCH 26th   FOURTH SUNDAY of LENT | Service of Healing 

Last week the salvation that Christ offers the world was likened to water, and this coming week God's mercy is likened to light. 
What is the "darkness" in your life? 
Come to worship to celebrate the light that is Christ in you.

READINGS and Psalm:  1 Samuel 16:1-13   
Psalm 23   
  John 9:1-41
You anoint my head with oil. (Ps. 23:5)
WATCH/LISTEN:
"SEEING/NOT SEEING"
(min msg)

  
SUNDAY! Service of Healing 
He heals the brokenhearted,and binds up their wounds.   Psalm 147:3

This Sunday, you are invited to bring your prayers, your concerns, and your need for healing to this liturgy. We will celebrate the Liturgy of Healing at both services. An opportunity for the laying on of hands and anointing of oil will be offered.

A service of healing is an expression in worship of the church's ministry of healing. This service follows early Christian traditions of meeting together for sharing scripture, prayers, and anointing for those who are in need of healing.  We hope you will find hope, trust, comfort, and feel God's presence!
 
The ancient practice of the laying on of hands was first described in the Bible when the dying Isaac blesses his sons (Gen. 48:14). The gesture evolved from the natural human sign of affection and usually symbolizes a prayer for God to bless the recipient, such as when parents bless their children each morning when they leave for school.

TONIGHT! SOUP & STUDY 6:00
lent_soup Soup & bread will be served Thursdays during Lent at 6pm. Dates soup needed are: 3/23, 30 &  4/6.
ONE MORE SOUP NEEDED FOR TONIGHT!

STUDY:  In this 500th Anniversary Year of the Protestant Reformation we'll be gathering following the soup to watch a short video and discuss the theme: "Table Talks: Legacies of Luther for Today". Tonight's topic: Babylonian Captivity
March 30: 
Luther's Unfortunate Words
April 6:
The article of faith on which all stands or falls

Veggie Tales, popcorn and games for the kids available. Click HERE and let us know which Thursday you would enjoy making a soup to share. If you would like to attend, but need a ride, please let us know that, too! Thank you for your enthusiasm!     RECIPES
SUNDAY LEARNING FORUM 
Sundays in Lent: 
Back to Basics with Pastor Geoff: 
An Opportunity in Lent for Families, Confirmands, and Adults
Sunday mornings during learning hour at 9:40 , we revisit the Christian basics, take a look at Luther's explanations - and together we will create some everyday explanations of these core resources of our faith from our own time and experience. 
This week's topic -  Prayer
FIT UPDATE: it begins
Good news! After a false start,FIT has selected, from 2 estimates, our HVAC contractor.  Bartol of New London, who have done many HVAC installations in CT churches, focus exclusively on commercial installation and service. Bartol submitted a well-thought-out design and struck the balance between cost and efficiency. Frank Bartol, a seasoned engineer who loves churches (his words), will oversee the project and will be working on the installation with our GC Mark Reeves.  FIT has applied the 90/10 rule throughout - 90% planning, 10% execution.  We start the first week in April- no joke!     

ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE the DATE  
Palm Sunday Breakfast 
A significant fundraiser for our youth ministry is the Palm Sunday Breakfast, April 9th, between worship services, 9:30-10:45
am.
  EASTER EGG HUNT at 10!  

Looking for a male chaperone to drive up and join in the fun at Camp Calumet for the Sunday School Retreat the weekend of March 31-April 2. We have two fun loving boys would would love to be able to attend the retreat - PLEASE let me know as soon as possible if you are interested.   Thanks! Tammie: tammie@stpaul-elca.org

Online Lenten Devotional:     HERE.
MEET YOUR COUNCIL 
As we enter into our Capital Campaign "construction year", it is vital that all council members be recognizable to everyone in the congregation. In anticipation of questions, concerns, compliments, suggestions, etc., it's  important for all to know who Council members are, who Andrew is (FIT Leadership) and Darrell (Capital Campaign). In addition, this is a great way to begin to forge new friendships, to provide "conversation starters" for those you may wish to approach, but don't know how to "break the ice".  This week, get to know Mike & Andrew!
READ MIKE's ( Council Vice President) BIO HERE 






READ ANDREW's (FIT Chair) BIO HERE
HOMEWORK CLUB NEWS
On Tuesday night we hosted one of the three or four Homework Family Dinners that we have each year. The evening began with the children performing a musical show which provided their families the opportunity to watch their children participate in a wonderful performance. The crowd showed their appreciation after every number and the students did not disappoint!
It is important to realize that nine of the twelve children in Homework Club are from immigrant families. They come from India, China, Mexico, Guatemala and Ecuador. For many of these children English is not their first language and is not the language primarily spoken at home. What Homework Club does for these children is to not only provide assistance with daily homework but more generally provides them the opportunity to better assimilate in our community and for the children to feel comfortable with other children - children who may be from a culture different than their own. It is encouraging to see children who come in as complete strangers in first grade become fast friends by second or third grade. Homework Club also provides the opportunity for the mentors to not only get to know these children but also to get to know and appreciate their parents and families and in some cases the problems that they face. It is a worthwhile and meaningful experience for all who are involved. - submitted by Mr. Bill
 
HYMN of the DAY
Sunday's hymn of the day is "Amazing Grace" (ELW 779).  The story of John Newton  still inspires. He lived in darkness and, by God's grace, came to light. Newton's venerable hymn  bears witness to his conversion: "I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see." The film Amazing Grace (Samuel Goldwyn, 2006) chronicles the story of William Wilberforce , who was so influenced by Newton that he began to work toward abolition of the slave trade in England. In one poignant scene, he expresses his misgivings about entering into such a risky endeavor with friends. One of his friends offers advice:  "You may praise God or change the world. We suggest you do both."

ELCA News
elca_logo
ELCA Conference of Bishops targets developing leaders, congregational growth
The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) emphasized leadership development and congregational growth when it met March 2-7.
The conference is an advisory body of the ELCA that includes 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and secretary.  In her report to the conference, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton highlighted major initiatives happening across the church, including "Called Forward Together in Christ: Strategic Directions 2025." The document provides a framework for shared leadership across the ELCA to attain common goals and meet challenges the church may face in the future.


About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.7 million members in more than 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
EASTER FLOWERS 
On Easter, the Altar Care Team will adorn the sanctuary with spring flowers. If you would like to order a flower, please click  here  and let us know the number of plants and how you would like the dedication to read or you can fill out the card in the chair slot at church. You may take your plant home with you following the 10:45 service on Easter or leave it here to be delivered to a shut in.  $11 each. Last day to order 4/9

Chili / Chowder Cook Off     APRIL 29
Sock it to Winter, Sail into Summer!
Enjoy the first annual Chili / Chowder Cook Off at St Paul Lutheran! Saturday, April 29, 2017 . Doors open at 6:00. Open to the public. The cost of admission is a $5 donation and one pair of adult socks. Attendees will be able to sample all of the different chilis and chowders and vote for their favorite!
Live music, great company and fun included with admission.
Socks will be donated to Someday Soon Ministries for distribution to the homeless in New Haven. Monies raised will offset the cost of holding a spiritual retreat at mercy By The Sea retreat center.  To enter your favorite chili or chowder recipe complete the sign up sheet located in the narthex or call Dicie at 860 989-0532 or Ursula at 860 964-0177. The winning chef will be announced at 7:30!!! Prizes will be awarded in various categories.
 

The Journey through Holy Week
Sunday, March 20, Palm Sunday at 8:30 & 10:45  
The holiest of all weeks for the Church, begins with the Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday. We will remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Quickly the tone of worship changes as we hear the story of Jesus' passion and death on the cross according to St. Matthew. In between the two services, worshipers are invited to share in the delicious breakfast feast prepared and served by the members of the St. Paul Youth group. Fund raiser for the Youth Group Mission Trip

Thursday, March 24,  Maundy Thursday
Interactive Worship Service at 7:00 pm - Interactive Worship Service at 7:00. The worship concludes with the stripping of the altar, a stark reminder of Jesus being left abandoned and alone before his death

Friday, March 25, Good Friday 
Cross Walk at Noon -  Annual Cross Walk through the streets of Old Saybrook. Begins and concludes at church. Eight stops along the way for Scripture reading and prayer. A bold public witness. 
  
Worship Service at  7:00 pm - Reading of Passion according to St. John. In the quiet shadows of a darkened church worshipers gather on Good Friday evening to hear the Passion Story according to St. John, join in song and in the ancient bidding prayers of the Church that remind us of Jesus' wide embrace of the whole world on the cross, and reflect together on the profound meaning of Jesus' life giving death. 

Sunday, March 27, Easter Sunday
Sunrise Service at the Beach at 6:30am  with First Church
Worship Service at 8:30 & 10:45am Join the chorus of festive song and joy as the news of " Christ  is risen!" resounds from the empty tomb,  through the world & into our hearts.  Trumpets.  Choirs.  Voices joined as one to praise the One who breaks the darkness! Invite many friends to share this day with you!

Cappella Cantorum Concert   March 26   
Cappella Cantorum will present A Choral Showcase,including: He Watching Over Israel, How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place, Precious Lord, Take my Hand and Down by the Riverside. Also, Medleys from Phantom of the Opera & Les Miserables.  Performance is Sunday, March 26, 3 pm at Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Rd., Deep River. A Reception follows the concert. For information, call Barry at 860-388-328721. 


calendar
LINK TO CALENDAR.
Ongoing & upcoming:
Breakfast Club   Wednesdays, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
We eat, read & talk about the scripture for the coming Sunday - meets in classroom by kitchen.  1st Wednesday at OS Diner.  
Prayer Circle   Wednesdays, 8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join Pastor Geoff for a brief, spoken, opportunity for morning prayer.    
Soup Kitchen  3rd Wednesdays  Grace Church (Lunch in Old Saybrook)  
5th Saturdays Old Lyme Congregational Church (breakfast Old Lyme)
Thursday Bible Study  Thursdays 12- 1:30 FarView House
OA Mondays 7:00pm FarView House
AA Mondays  7:00 pm Fellowship Hall  
NA Thursdays 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
AA Sundays  8:00 pm Fellowship Hall
JOYS & CONCERNS
 
Do you have something wonderful or sad happening in your life that you would like to share ? Let us know your joys and concerns   here
CHURCH STAFF: Pastor-Rev. Geoff T. Sinibaldo   Director of Youth & Family Ministries-Tammie Sinibaldo  Parish Administrator-Kim Meadows  Music Director-Al LaPorte  Sexton-Dave Moretti  
OFFICE HOURS :Tuesday - Thursday 9am-1pm. Pastor Geoff is available by appointment past regular office hours.  Please contact the office or email him at pastorggeoff@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.