ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH

651-462-5212
5879 Wyoming Trail
Visit our website!
Wyoming, MN 55092
St. Paul 
Lutheran Church
An Evangelical Lutheran
Church of America


Our mission is to 
Share Christ's Love
with Joy!

Pastor Sarah 
Friesen-Carper

Worship Schedule for
Sunday, November 24th
Christ the King Sunday

9:00 am 
Worship Service

Quick Links

Friday, November 29,  2019
FROM PASTOR SARAH
Beloved People of God, 

I came across an article this week by author Sarah Bessey titled, Does Advent Even Matter When the World in On Fire? She writes that we usually prepare for Christmas by getting cozy, making plans with the family, and lighting candles. We want it to be a happy time with lots of good feelings. But, she asks, how can we do that when there is so much hurt and grief and violence in the world? When globally and personally things feel like they are falling apart?

S he answers her own question saying that this is precisely the time that God comes to us. God put on flesh in the person of Jesus because God wants to be with us in the middle of all the hard stuff. She writes,  God is redeeming all that is broken in us and curing all that is sick in us and bringing all that is dead in us to life. It's because of this promise that we can light candles in the pressing and cold darkness, blazing up warmth and light for peace and for hope and for joy and for love...Advent reminds us that God seeks us out where we are right now. Not where we should be by our own or anyone else's estimation. God seeks us out when we are in exile and when we are suffering, when we are callous and cowardly, when we are more concerned with common sense than faithfulness, when we are fearful and arrogant, when we are lost and broken, when we are sad and alone, when we are traumatized and wondering when the light will start to win, when we feel forgotten and bored and insignificant and tired, when we are wounded and when we are the ones who are wounding.

Jesus invites you to enter this season with him. Come and worship, come and pray, come and celebrate those little moments when Jesus meets us in our lives, in our congregation, and in our world. I hope that you will let this season work it's magic on you. Not the kind of magic that gets a fat man down every chimney in one night. The kind of magic that only God can work in God's own mysterious ways, to meet you where you are and bring you along on an amazing journey of faith.

A very blessed Advent to you, 
Pastor Sarah 
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS
SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP & EVENTS

December 1st- Advent 1: Pastor Sarah gone, Rev. Dr. Benjamin Coltvet preaching.
December 4th - Advent by Candlelight 7 pm: Holden Evening Prayer.
December 8th - Advent 2: Food Truck Sunday/ Yule Log Fellowship Event.  
December 11th - Advent by Candlelight 7 pm: 
Holden Evening Prayer
December 15th - Advent 3:  Children's Play: Super Christmas 
December 18th  - Advent by Candlelight 7 pm:
Holden Evening Prayer. 
December 22nd - Advent 3: Puppets performing offering and sending songs.  Lefse making fellowship event. 
December 24th - Christmas Eve: 4 pm family service, 10 pm candlelight service. 
December 29th - First Sunday of Christmas:  Lessons and Carols. 
January 5th - Epiphany of Our Lord

If you would like any additional information about any service/ event above, please email Melissa (office administrator) at 651.462.5212 or  admin@sharingchristslove.org
Sunday's Readings
Isaiah 2: 1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13: 11-14
Matthew 24: 36-44
CHURCH BUSINESS
A N O N Y M O U S A N T A
Once again this year, the confirmation students are having anonymous Santa!  This directly supports the "Christmas with Dignity" program, which offers parents that are not able to buy Christmas presents the opportunity to "shop" in the holiday store at North Branch United Methodist Church.  

Please take an "ornament" off of the tree located in the Narthex, and return the items by December 15th.  Our confirmation students will be helping pack donations on December 15th.  
Christmas Poinsettias
We will have poinsettias available for purchase again this year!  Please watch for order sheets in the Sunday bulletin, and there is a sign up sheet available on welcome table.  Orders are due by December 13th. 

Prices are: 
4"  small  $7.00 (red, white, or pink)
6"  medium  $13.00 (red, white, pink or marble)
8"  large  $18.00 (red and white)
10"  extra large  $30.00 (red and white)

You can pick up your plant after the 10:00 pm Christmas Eve service, or anytime after December 26th. 

If you have any further questions about ordering, please contact Melissa (office administrator) at 651.462.5212 or admin@sharingchristslove.org
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 

We are looking for ADULT volunteers to staff the Nursery with our confirmation kid volunteers on Sunday mornings.  All volunteers must have completed Safeguarding training.  Please email Melissa (office administrator) at admin@sharingchristslove.org if you are interested. 
Seeking Donations of Personal Care Items for the Food Truck

For the past several years the St. Paul Lutheran members have provided a Christmas gift to the families visiting the Food Truck.  This year we would like to put together a box of personal care items for each family.  Please consider adding some of these items to your shopping list this holiday season. 

Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener Sheets, Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Shampoo, and Conditioner and band-aids.  

It would be wonderful if you could bring these items in by Sunday, December 8th, so we would know what we needed to go buy to fill up the boxes.  If you would like us to do the shopping for you, you could make a donation to St. Paul Lutheran, memo line: Personal Care Items, Food Truck.  If you have any questions please contact Jan Brainard or Katie Edwards.   
Hand Bells 
The hand bell group meets in the music room Sundays at 6:30 pm.  

For more information, please talk to Joanna K. 


Service Opportunities at Saint Paul Lutheran!
Each week we will highlight opportunities for you to serve in your congregation. Watch this space for details!
  • Building Cleaning: Please sign up on the clipboard at the welcome center. A list of duties is attached to the sign up. The last two weeks of December and into January are open. 
  • Snow Shoveling: Please sign up to shovel the walks at church on Sunday mornings, and during the school week. Shovels and Salt are provided! 
QUESTIONS:
Contact Katie Fetterly at treasurer@sharingchristslove.org

As of 11/26/19 Actual Budgeted
Over/(Under) Budget
YTD Totals
$ 174,674.45
$ 187,545.71
$ (12,871.26)
YOUTH UPDATES
COSTUME NEEDED:

An Incredible Hulk costume (size youth large), is needed for the Christmas program.  If you are have one you are willing to donate, please contact Joanna at  jkroschel@sharingchristslove.org
Updates:  Please note the following changes and events: 
  • Confirmation meets December 4, 11, ans 18 at 6:30. There will be time for learning and check-in and then worship at 7 pm. 
  • Confirmation Class will take a break over the holidays. We begin meeting again January 8th at 6:30 pm. 
  • There is a fellowship event for Confirmation students Friday, December 6th, 6-9 pm at church - Christmas festivities, a movie and other activities. This is a required fellowship event.  
If you have any question, please contact Pastor Sarah at pastor@sharingchristslove.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Yule Logs! 
December 8th - 10:00 am

We are excited to once again have Dee lead us in making Yule Logs!  We hope you can join us for this event, all are welcome.  Glue guns and glue sticks will be needed! Sign up sheet is on the welcome table.
Food Truck Family Pathways
Wednesday, Dec. 11th
11:00 am - Village Inn 
Bring a Friend!

Grab a friend and meet other seniors for a time of fun and fellowship at the Village Inn  in Wyoming. 

Don't forget it's free pie day!

FOOD TRUCK
December 21st 

A small donation by you can make a big difference in the life of those receiving the gifts. Food donations may be placed in the cart in the Narthex. Volunteers are also needed for this wonderful outreach program. 

Sign up at the Welcome Center. 
Join us in making Lefsa!
Sunday, December 22nd at 10:00 am.  If you have equipment or experience you are willing to share, please contact Arlie Post at 651-503-3169  or  arlie.post@gmail.com  
SCRIP
(this form has only a fraction of the gift cards available)

All gift cards for $20 or less. Great for coworkers, stockings, teachers or yourself!

Complete List of all Retailers
WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE
Sunday, December 1
  9:00 am     Worship
10:00 am     Sunday School
11:00 am     Altar Guild Decorating
  6:30 pm     Hand Bells 
Monday, December 2
6:30 pm       Boy Scout Meeting
Tuesday, December 3
6:30 pm       Council Meeting 
7:00 pm       Cub Scout Parent Meeting
Wednesday, December 4
1:00 pm       Prayers for the Congregation
1:30 pm       Adult Bible Study
6:30 pm       Confirmation/ SPLASH
7:00 pm       Advent by Candlelight Service 
Sunday, December 8
  9:00 am     Worship
10:00 am     Sunday School
10:00 am     Yule Logs
  6:30 pm     Hand Bells 

Save the Date: 
Sunday, December 22 - Lefsa Making