A Reconciling Congregation having
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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As we come into this month when we gather with family and friends to give thanks, I wanted to share this list of things to be thankful for that I read in an article, recently.
Things to Be Thankful For:
- Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat.
- Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home.
- Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.
- Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.
- Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk.
- Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church, because it means you can hear.
- Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means you're alive.
So, what would you add to this list? What are you thankful for? When we stop to think about it, we all have something to give thanks for in our lives. As we come into this time of giving thanks, my prayer for all of us, is that we have a continual spirit of being thankful as we approach life with a faithful positive attitude. As we open our eyes and hearts to realize how God is working in our lives; in small ways that we may not even notice, and in sometimes very dramatic ways. My hope is that we carry around with us a list of why we are thankful, so that in those tough times of life when it seems really dark, we can remember and let the light of our blessings give us and others hope; realizing that giving thanks isn’t about us. We have been blessed to be a blessing to others, so let us give thanks for the all opportunities we have to live out our faith through our daily prayers and our service to others.
As we approach this season, let us remember most of all to give thanks long after Thanksgiving has ended. May we remember the words of the apostle Paul: "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you."
In God’s love,
Pastor Tim
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WORSHIP TIME
We are holding two in-person worship services on Sundays at 8:30 am and 10:30 am.
If you are not able to watch the service live on Sunday morning, there are several ways you can watch it later:
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All of our worship services are saved and posted on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/StPaulsUMC.Point.
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Our worship services are also on YouTube. Just go to our church website – www.stevenspointumc.org and click on "Worship" from the drop-down menu of the "About" tab on the top of the home page. It will take you to our YouTube channel that has a collection of our worship services
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THANKSGIVING DINNER - November 23
Happy Thanksgiving! We will be celebrating the holiday of gratitude by holding a dinner, where everyone is welcome. Family gathering is what this day is about. We will have wonderful food and fellowship, located at the church in Hazel Caulkins fellowship hall. We will gather at 2:00 pm and eat at 3:00 pm. Because there is no end time to our time of thanksgiving with one another, there will be no clear end time to our gathering. Please RSVP by November 19 to let us know you are planning to join us. Feel free to bring a dish. Any questions please call/email Audra at 262-388 0366/audraobrien931@gmail.com.
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"LET THERE BE LIGHT"
Mark Your Calendars and Join Us!
Intergenerational Advent Experience for All Ages
Worship - Activities - Fellowship
December 6, 13 & 20 from 6-7 pm in Fletcher Hall
Simple Supper Served at 5:30 pm
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2023 ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SEASON
Carol Sing - Saturday, December 2 at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall
Come celebrate the start of our Advent and Christmas season with a time of singing some familiar carols. We will also have a simple meal with hot sandwiches.
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Blue Christmas Service: A Service of Healing and Wholeness
Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 pm
Christmas is a season filled with images of happy families and joyful people. However, not everyone feels this way. For some people, this season is a real struggle and they need the reassurance and comfort that our faith provides.
Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a loved one, struggling with an illness, or just needing some encouragement in this current time. Maybe you are wondering how you will get through the holidays. In this time, we will be offering a Blue Christmas Service to provide a time of comfort through reflection and meaningful music. Please e-mail (tobrien@stevenspointumc.org) the names of those you are grieving, a brief description of a situation you are struggling with, or a prayer that you have and we will lift them up during the service.
We will be offering this service in person in our sanctuary as well as streaming it live on our public Facebook page. Please come for this time of hope and renewal through this worship of healing and wholeness. Let us come to gather in the good news of this season, “God with us: Immanuel!
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Planning Ahead for Christmas Eve
Since Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, the Worship Team has decided to have one worship service in the morning and one in the evening. Both of them will include the lighting of the candles.
Christmas Eve worship services:
10:30 am - Family Worship with the Good News Singers
6:00 pm - Traditional Worship with the Chancel Choir
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ADVENT DEVOTIONALS & CALENDARS |
Available at the Advent Display in the gathering area of the church building beginning Sunday, November 26, and throughout the Season of Advent.
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Sunday, December 10th – 11:30 am
Please mark your calendars and plan on attending our church conference on December 10th following the 10:30 am worship service as we gather together as a community to do the business of the church. Rev. Caleb McGregor will be our presiding Elder leading our time together.
This year, we will hear a message from our Bishop and the Accountable Leadership Board will have a presentation on our mission and vision statements and how our church will be moving forward in growing disciples.
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GOOD NEWS SINGERS IS RETURNING |
The Good News Singers, our children’s choir for all those from ages 2 through 12 and older, has returned! We are going to sing, play bells, learn to play ukuleles and recorders, and other instruments. We are sure going to have a lot of fun praising God with music and song!
Rehearsals will occur on Sunday mornings from 9:50-10:20 am. For more information please call/text Audra at 262-388-0366 or email her at audraobrien931@gmail.com.
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY INVITATION
We welcome every lady of any age to study the book of Hosea with us. Pastor Tim preached a sermon that made us want to dig deeper into the prophet’s life and story, prompting us to explore Hosea’s personal account of his prophetic messages to the children of God and to the world.
Hosea wrote this book to remind the Israelites—and us—that ours is a loving God whose loyalty to His covenant people is unwavering. In spite of Israel’s continual turning to false gods, God’s steadfast love is portrayed in the long-suffering husband of the unfaithful wife. Hosea’s message is also one of warning to those who would turn their backs on God’s love. Through the symbolic presentation of the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, God’s love for the idolatrous nation of Israel is displayed in a rich metaphor in the themes of sin, judgment, and forgiving love.
Join us each week on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, in the Thomas Coke room. We meet in a hybrid fashion of in person, by phone, and zoom.
The next study will be on Nov. 21. We can’t wait to study with you!
Join us virtually by using the information below:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 927 321 8018
Passcode: 5986234
Dial in:
1-312-626-6799 US (Chicago)
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FLY HIGH
In Twelve Women of the Bible, we will learn about the triumphs and failures of Mary Magdalene, Rebekah, Hannah and nine other women, learning how to: apply biblical lessons to our own modern-day struggles, live through our failures as well as our successes, draw near to God in a world filled with trials, find lasting contentment in every situation and much more. We will discover new insights and be challenged, encouraged, and empowered to face trials in our own lives by drawing nearer to God.
Fly High meets on Fridays at noon. Feel free to bring a sack lunch. Come for a time of learning, laughter and fellowship. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Yvonne Chojnacki at 715/340-9333 or ymchojnacki@gmail.com.
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MONTHLY PRAYER BREAKFAST
Next date: Thursday, December 7 @ 7:00 a.m.
Everyone is invited to gather at 7:00 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month for a simple breakfast, time of prayer, and a short devotion. We will conclude our time together with open Communion. Our time together will last about 45 minutes to an hour at the most, so it is the perfect way to start your day and the month with prayer.
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YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS AND EVENTS
Join Us This December for Community Building & Faith Growing Experiences!
December's Youth Group gatherings will include opportunities to connect with people of all ages as we participate with the Intergenerational Advent Experience. And, there'll be plenty of merriment following as youth continue their time together with fun and festive activities, including a Youth Group Christmas Party on December 20.
Youth group meets from 6-8pm on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Youth Group is for all youth in Middle School, Jr. and Sr. High. Any questions? Contact Laura Courtright, call/ text: 715-340-4523 or email: lauracourtright@gmail.com
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CHILDREN'S CHAPEL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are looking to expand our Children's Ministry Team. If you love serving among children, please call or text our Director of Family Ministry, Laura Courtright at 715-340-4523 or email at lauracourtright@gmail.com
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COOKIE WALK
Need help with your holiday baking? You are in luck. There will be a Cookie Walk on Sunday, December 10, 9:15am-12:00 pm in Hazel Calkins Fellowship Hall. The proceeds from this sale will benefit Church Camp Scholarships.
If you would like to contribute to this sale or if you have any questions, please contact Yvonne Chojnacki at 715/340-9333.
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POTLUCK SUNDAYS
Next potluck is on December 17, 2023 after 10:30 am service. Please bring a dish to pass. Sign-up sheets to volunteer are in the Narthex. All are welcome!
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Ghana Mission Team Seeks Help!
John Munson, Tonya Kowalski, Sue Jacobson
From January 2-18, 2024, Tonya, Sue, and I will be members of a 10-person team traveling to Aworowa, Ghana, to continue our mission work. Each of us is allowed to take 50 pounds of supplies with us. Our mission team makes this journey bi-annually. We invite all members of our congregation to assist with donating items from the list below. Our team will pack them and take them directly to Aworowa for distribution.
Items can be dropped off at church using the box found in the gathering area. We ask that items arrive at church by December 15, so we can pack and be ready for January 2.
Aworowa Clinic Needs:
- Pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen
- Medicines for heartburn and indigestion such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, cimetidine, and aluminum hydroxide, Tums or similar.
- Laxatives such as bisacodyl and calcium docusate
- Antidiarrheal drugs such as bismuth subsalicylate and loperamide
- Motion sickness medicines such as dimenhydrinate
- Nasal steroids such as fluticasone and triamcinolone
- Cough medicines such as guaifenesin
- Antihistamines such as fexofenadine and loratadine
- Emollients and mild corticosteroid creams
- Athlete's foot cream
- allergy eye drops
Examination gloves, medium and small; gauze rolls, gauze bandages, cotton balls, bandages, topical ointments (any variety), pain relievers, multivitamins, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hand soap (Antibacterial).
Orphanage Needs:
Washcloths, hand soap, cleaning supplies, laundry, bathroom soaps, shampoo, body lotions, deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes, Band-Aids, and soccer balls size 5
School Needs:
Soccer balls size 5, volleyballs
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MEET & GREET
Hosts & Hostesses needed for after 10:30 service! Treats are welcomed!
Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex.
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WELCOME BACK TO
THE OPEN DOOR BISTRO!
Meals are served in fellowship hall from 5:30-6:00 pm on the first Wednesday of each month through May 1. Brochures listing dates and menus are available at the Information Center in the gathering area. Come to enjoy the fellowship and simple meals. Contacts for questions are Sandy Shave (715-592-4346) or Stephanie White (715-347-0367).
NEXT OPEN DOOR BISTRO – December 6 – Soup and Sandwiches
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The Interfaith Food Pantry is looking to add more volunteers to their outreach volunteer program. We offer different time slots and various positions on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
For more info contact Peggy Selck at 715-630-0866 or pselck55@gmail.com.
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PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT OUR MINISTRIES
You can give by one of the following:
1. You can mail your check to the church office at 600 Wilshire Blvd., Stevens Point, WI 54481
2. You can use ACH. If you don’t have that set up & would like to, please contact the church office (715/344-3557) and we will help you with that or email us at finance@stevenspointumc.org.
3. You can use Bill Pay through your bank. This is a free service through your bank. They draw the money from your bank account and send the church a check as you direct them to, whether that be weekly or monthly. This way would save you on postage.
4. You can go to our website www.stevenspointumc.org and there is a button that says “Donate”. That will take you through the steps to use your credit or debit card. If you continue down on that page, you can also text on your phone to give.
Our Director of Finance is Ardis Burke. If you have any questions or problems, please let us know at finance@stevenspointumc.org or 715/344-3557.
PLEASE NOTE: Ardis’ office hours will be Monday and Wednesday 11:00am – 2:00 pm.
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LOOSE COINS
The Loose Coin Offering for November is in support of Holiday Baskets. The money collected will help our neighbors in need. Be sure to label your envelope so your coins/currency will be deposited into the correct account. If you are submitting a check, please write "Holiday Baskets" in the memo portion of the check. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.
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SENIOR TIME BY SENIORS
Please consider joining this group. They meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 11:00 am. Bag lunch at noon. Discussions are wide ranged. If you have a particular request, we’ll do our best to work it into a session. The next meeting will be on November 21.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
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NEEDED: Would you like to recycle your empty prescription bottles to a good cause? Just rinse and remove labels and deposit them in the box in front of the office. Ghana Clinic LOVES them!
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VISITATION
One of the responsibilities, among many, that I take very seriously as a pastor is visitation. I consider it a sacred time to visit someone in the hospital, nursing home, or in their own home. It is time where I can get to know someone better and really talk about spiritual issues one on one.
Please let me know if you have gone into the hospital, are in need of a home visit, or what your specific needs are that I can help you with. I’m also willing to bring communion to any of my visits.
I want you all to know that I am here for you. If you are struggling, need to talk, or have any need whatsoever for a pastoral visit please call me on my cell phone (262-388-4635), at the office (715-344-3557), e-mail me (tobrien@stevenspointumc.org) write me a note (600 Wilshire Blvd), or mark that you would like a visit on one of the attendance cards in the pew on Sunday morning.
I will continue to make visitation my top priority and continue to respond to every request as quickly as possible. It is an honor to be here as your pastor and I’m committed to being here for you as a pastoral presence representing the Good News of Jesus Christ that gives us hope and heals us all.
Pastor Tim
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REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
TEAM UPDATE
Our Refugee Resettlement Team, which is a combined team of our congregation with Good Shepherd Lutheran church and members of our community, is continuing to work with the Bipendu family who are from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It continues to be a busy time as they are active in school, getting jobs, and learning about our community. We continue to support them on their journey of being independent.
It has also been a joy to welcome them into our church family as they worship with us and get involved in the life of our church community. If you haven’t introduced yourself to them yet, please take time of Sunday to let them know who you are. We made sure they all have nametags so you can call them by name.
We will continue to work with the family in our six areas:
• Housing and welcome
• Transportation
• Health
• Education
• Cultural adjustment
• Jobs and finance
Our resource room which is open to all the refugee families in our community is running really low on cleaning supplies and personal care items that are needed by our many families who are now in our area. The list of items is included in this issue of the newsletter. Please drop off any items in room D/E in the Discovery Zone.
This has been an amazing ministry of extending the hospitality, grace, and light of God’s love and hope to those most in need. However, we could always use more help with our family and other families who are moving into our area, so if you are interested please talk with Pastor Tim or Mary Schultz who are the team coordinators. If you would like to make a financial contribution to support our refugee family that would be appreciated. Please put Refugee Help on the memo line of your check. Please continue to pray for all the refugee families in our area who are working hard to adjust and make a new life in our community.
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ITEMS NEEDED FOR REFUGEE FAMILIES
Please bring items to Rooms D/E in the Discovery Zone and place on tables in front of the table signs.
Shampoo/Conditioner
Ethnic shampoo/Ethnic conditioner- for our African families
Body Wash for shower
Hand Soap
Laundry Detergent
Bleach
Dryer Sheets (Not bleach dryer sheets)
Dish Soap
Cleaning Supplies
Paper Towel
Toilet Paper
Diapers- size 4
Baby Wipes
Pillows
Twin Sheets
Plastic Bags (garbage/food size)
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KWIK TRIP CARDS
Our fundraising program will be changed. Kwik Trip is selling a new Grocery Only, used in the store card that will give us 15% back for Holiday Baskets.
Regular and Fuel Only cards will still be offered at 5% profit for us. You can continue to use your gas card in the store also.
If you normally buy grocery or snack items at Kwik Trip, we suggest you buy the Grocery Only as we will raise money faster for Holiday Baskets. Thank you for helping us with this mission. As always, you receive 100% of your purchased card to spend.
We are grateful for church members who have purchased Gas Only cards for people in need in our community who come to our church for help. You can buy a $10 card to help others by giving that money to Yvonne in the office or Cathy. Then the cards are ordered.
You may purchase your Gas or Grocery cards in the office or contact Cathy Martin, 715-340-8426 or jcmartin@charter.net for assistance.
Thank you for your giving.
Helping others on a mission,
Mary Martha Circle
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FUEL ONLY GAS CARDS
We give $10 gas cards to people who need help getting to a doctor’s appointment, job interview, etc. If you would like to donate toward gas cards that are given to those in need, please write “Gas Cards” in the memo section of your check payable to “UMC.”
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ONE BIG TENT
“Connecting the church to the community through the love of God”
One Big Tent, our joint ministry of area congregations reaching out to our neighbors in need, continues to grow as we are helping more people out of our offices (1039b B Ellis St.) in downtown Stevens Point.
A few weeks ago we released a statement which you can read our public Facebook page: www.facebook.com/StPaulsUMC.Point which outlines the next stage of our growth. We are looking for a site on which to found our Community Hub Welcome Center.
The Community Hub Welcome Center program goals are:
- To be a “one-stop” welcoming hub for those in crisis; triage immediate trauma by meeting the basic human needs.
- To be a people-centered welcoming hub for ongoing case management and services, in collaboration with local partners, programs, and organizations.
- To enhance existing systems where and when gaps become apparent or are already missing.
- To create additional emergency housing slots, develop a slate of transitional living locations and create options on long-term housing; ultimate outcome - individual, family and community stability.
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This is a bold vision but it is one we need to take if we are going to deal with the crisis that so many of our neighbors are experiencing.
I would like to ask for your continued support of this important ministry in our community in the following ways.
- Please pray for those in need as we work with them and for the companions and clergy who give their time to help find solutions.
- Consider if you would like to be a companion talking with and working with people to help them. We offer training and only ask people to volunteer for a 3-4 hour shift once a week. Also, we pair you with a clergy person who is there to support you. For example, I (Pastor Tim) volunteer every Wednesday with a member from Beloved Community from 8:00 am to noon. If you are interested, please talk with Pastor Tim.
- Consider being a member of our One Big Tent Board as a representative of our congregation helping to guide our organization. This board meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 5:15 pm here at our church.
- When it is appropriate, we do provide financial support to help with rent assistance, car repair, buying medicines, etc. We work with people to identify what they can contribute and we make up the difference with what they owe. We could use your financial support to help us meet these needs. If you would like to make a financial contribution, please make the check out to our church and put, “One Big Tent” in the memo line.
Thank you for your prayerful and generous support of this important ministry to make God’s love real to all our neighbors.
Pastor Tim
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BROWN PAPER BAGS
Operation Bootstrap is in need of brown paper bags. If you have any you would like to donate, please bring them to the church and place in the south coatroom. If you have any questions, please call the church office (715/344-3557).
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WAYS TO HELP
We are all looking for ways to share God's love. Here are some samples of things you can do:
Interfaith Food Pantry – We have the grocery cart in between the entrance doors on the south side (school side), Monday through Thursday, 9am-3pm. Here is a list of their urgent needs: Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Cereal, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Peanut Butter and Jelly.
Call church people or neighbors – Just a friendly phone call can make someone’s day.
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St. Paul’s-The Springs UMC
600 Wilshire Blvd
Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715/344-3557)
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Campus Ministry - UWSP
Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715/340-4523)
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