A Reconciling Congregation having
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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As we come into this new year many people make resolutions with the number one being to lose weight. Well, we may need to watch what we eat as far as food goes, but I think there are others areas of our life in which we can, “Eat up!”
Eat up compliments. Pay attention when someone offers you a genuine thank you for something you’ve done. If you’re in the habit of letting these important personal boosts just roll past you, remember the proverb, “Gracious speech is like clover honey – good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.” (Proverbs 16:24) So, let the genuine appreciation of others be a source of soul food for your spirit, giving you a much-needed boost of spiritual energy.
Eat up the comforts of home. So often our homes are mere reflections of the office or the busyness of the day we just left. We bring our work, our issues, and our hurts into our homes making them places of conflict and stress. While life is certainly difficult at times, let us strive to do as Jesus instructs and make our homes, which are more than just brick and wood, into safe havens built on the rock of love. So that our homes become free from I-told-you-so’s, harsh words, and judgmental criticisms. May our homes be places of unconditional love that truly feed our soul.
Eat up prayer. When our spiritual lives dry up so does our energy, motivation, and desires. Our body, mind and spirit are one and prayer is that essential discipline that keeps them all in healthy balance. Prayer is that time we take to be in conversation with and listen for God’s leading. It is also the time we take to refresh our souls, our spirit, and our very essence. So, make the time to eat up prayer and you will find not only your soul nourished but every part and aspect of your life as well.
Eat up serving others. We have been blessed to be a blessing. So, let’s find ways to use our many gifts to support the mission of our church. This service could be helping with our children or youth ministries. It could also be reaching out to our community as a companion with One Big Tent, helping with one of our refugee families, or supporting the many ministries of our church. It could even mean starting a new ministry to meet an unmet need in our area.
These are only a few things that we should “Eat up!” in this new year. In the months ahead let’s pull our chairs closer to the banquet table and have a bowl of peace, a large plate of forgiveness, with a side of grace and very generous portions of love. Let us all feast heartily at the banquet prepared for us through God’s mercy in Christ.
In God’s Gracious 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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PLEDGE CARD REMINDER
Please remember to turn in your pledge card indicating your estimated giving for 2024. This helps us to be able to keep our finances in order so we can continue to support our many ministries. You can either drop it in the offering plate or turn it into the church office. There are extra pledge cards on the Welcome Center in the Gathering Area.
Thank you!
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OUR NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!
Kristen is happy to share that the new website has launched!
A few notes on the evolution of our website:
- Events page and individual ministry pages
- will be updated regularly
- Individual design elements
- revisited at a few points during the year
- *needs to stay consistent*
- Establishes our voice
- Creates a stable and strong image
- Ensures mobile compatibility
- Attracts new members
- Overall web design (colors, fonts, layout)
- will be revisited yearly in January
- next revisit will be in January 2025
Please bear in mind: Any design suggestions are not guaranteed to be achievable due to tech reasons, brand consistency, or church needs. Design will only be revisited a few times yearly.
If group/event/ministry leaders have updated copy to send, please email the text to Kristen at stpauls@stevenspointumc.org. Kristen will visit groups and events to capture photos for individual pages when able, to make sure the photos are suitable, tech wise.
There are a few kinks Kristen is still working out, but she's proud of our new site and is thrilled to be able to share! Visit when you are able!
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POTLUCK SUNDAYS
Next potluck is on January 21, 2024 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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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY INVITATION
Ladies,
Currently, the Women’s Bible Study small group is finishing up the book of Hosea where we study all the ways God keeps calling out to us and loving us even when we are not loving towards God.
Next we plan to explore Galatians and Paul’s message to the church in Galatia. This is a book that encourages us to understand and love God’s law. This book remains constant in the theme of leave behind the gospel of works and live within the gospel of faith.
Please join us on Tuesday nights at 7:00 by zoom or in person. You are always welcome whenever you can attend. The zoom login information is below.
Lots of love,
Audra
262-388-0366
audraobrien931@gmail.com
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 853 4891 8132
Passcode: 637667
Dial in
• 1-312-626-6799
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FLY HIGH
“Romans: Live with Clarity” by Jada Edwards
Paul’s letter to the Romans uncovers God’s heart and plan for the salvation of mankind. Jada Edwards brings the clarity that we need for what the gospel is and how we live it out. Jada explores Paul’s articulation of our faith and what it looks like in practice: how we love people, how we make decisions, how we submit to authority, how we live in community, and how we foster unity. Please join us for this 8-week video study.
Fly High meets Fridays at noon in the Thomas Coke Room. The next meeting will be January 26. Come for insight, fellowship and laughter. Any questions, contact Yvonne Chojnacki at 715/340-9333
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MONTHLY PRAYER BREAKFAST
Next date: Thursday, February 1 @ 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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SCOUT PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Please join us for a pancake breakfast hosted by the Scouts. Breakfast will be on February 4, immediately after the 10:30 am service in Hazel Calkins Fellowship Hall.
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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 February 6.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
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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 – February 7 – Taco Bar/Chips & Salsa
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GOOD NEWS SINGERS HAS RETURNED |
The Good News Singers, our children’s choir for all those from ages 2 through 11 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 9:45-10:15 am. For more information please call/text Audra at 262-388-0366 or email her at audraobrien931@gmail.com.
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The Joyful Choristers is our choir for all those from ages 12 through 18. Rehearsals are scheduled on Sunday mornings from 11:30-11:45 am. For more information please call/text Audra at 262-388-0366 or email her at audraobrien931@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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SAVE THE DATE
Ash Wednesday – February 14th
Worship Service – 6:00 PM
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the 40 days that precedes Holy Week and Easter. The Season of Lent is an invitation to renewal ("Lent" means "spring"). This is our time to prepare ourselves to take in the Good News of Easter through deeper disciplines of prayer, fasting, and service. And so we begin this season with Ash Wednesday. Ashes are the traditional sign of sorrow and repentance and are also a sign of our mortality. I hope and pray you will come on this holy night as we remind ourselves that in the midst of our fragileness and mortality, we are held up in the hands of God’s grace and love.
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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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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 January goes toward Interfaith Food Pantry. The money collected will help our missions reach as many people as possible. Be sure to label your envelope so your coins/currency will be deposited into the correct account. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.
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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 purchasing a card in the office. Gas only cards are now distributed through One Big Tent.
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.” Gas cards are now distributed through One Big Tent.
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ONE BIG TENT
“Connecting the church to the community through the love of God”
For the past year our joint ministry of reaching out to our neighbors in need known as One Big Tent has been operating out of our offices in downtown Stevens Point. This ministry which we are doing cooperatively with other congregations in Stevens Point and Plover has helped over 400+ individuals. Here are just a few numbers to describe our ministry.
- Throughout 2023:
- We distributed 240 gas cards
- We helped 85 families with rent assistance totaling over $45,000 who were at risk of being evicted
- We referred 20 people to the Rent-Ready program helping them fill out the application to be included in this program that helps move people from homelessness to finding a stable home
- We worked with 15 people in a new Rent-Rehab program helping people who are in the process of eviction because of back rent to create a budget that allows them to stay in their home instead of becoming homeless
- We referred 25 people to the Portage County Financial Wellness Program as we continue to work with them on budgeting
- We launched our Laundry Love Ministry at the South Point Laundromat helping people to have the dignity of clean clothes. So far this ministry has helped hundreds of people.
- We referred over 150 people to local non-profit agencies such as Salvation Army, CAP services, ADRC, Emergency Services, and Operation Bootstrap helping them fill out applications and following up when they run into roadblocks.
- We formed a steering committee to help bring to life our vision of the Community Hub which will provide emergency and transitional shelter along with case management 24/7 365 days a year.
Behind each of these numbers is a relationship we have built as we have taken the time to listen to their stories and done what we can to walk with them in their need. Our main goal is always to connect them with our local non-profit agencies and community resources that exist to support people when they are struggling. However, when no one can help then we are the safety net to keep people from crisis situations like homelessness.
I would like to ask for your support of this important ministry in our community in the following ways.
1) 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.
2) 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 a.m. to Noon. If you are interested, please talk with Pastor Tim
3) 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 p.m. here at our church.
4) 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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