A Reconciling Congregation having
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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As you sit down to read this article, Easter is right around the corner. This joyful day where we come together to celebrate and journey once again to the empty tomb and beyond.
This journey where we are touched and transformed through the joy of being known. So, I invite you to think about a tough time in your life and what got you through. What made all the difference? For many of us, it is having people around us who know us. Not just on the surface, but deep down they know us, care about us, and love us. Even when we might not feel it or we might take it for granted the fact that someone cares can make all the difference.
The following is a story someone shared with me recently.
It was a normal busy morning, about 8:30 a.m. when George, an elderly gentleman, well into his 80’s, arrived at the hospital to have some stitches removed from his thumb. George told me he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:15. Since I had some time and he was so anxious to not miss his appointment I told him I would take care of his wound.
While removing sutures, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment since he was in such a hurry. George told me no, but that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a little late. He told me she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and that she hadn’t recognized him for quite some time now. I was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled and patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.”
I had to hold back tears as George left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.”
It is this love of our risen Savior who knows us deeply and intimately that we have in our lives as people of faith and why we come to celebrate on Easter morning. No matter where we are in life. No matter if we feel it or think it is there, we are known by a love greater than us that will never let us go. And that is what give us hope and sees us through. As we approach this Easter season, let us with joy proclaim:
Because he lives, we are known and forever loved with an endless hope
Because he lives, we can face tomorrow
Because he lives, our faith has meaning and our service power
Because he lives, we are forgiven and freed
Because he lives, all fear is gone.
Because he lives, the worst thing is never the last thing
Because he lives, we know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he lives
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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STREAMING & WORSHIP
Since March 30, 2020, we have been streaming our worship services on our public Facebook page. On average we have about 30-35 people join us from around the world during our Sunday morning worship. Besides streaming our 10:30 a.m. worship service every Sunday, we also stream our special worship services such as Blue Christmas, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. We wanted to make you aware that if you don’t want to be on the stream as a part of the congregation, please sit on the pews against the back wall. For any child or youth participating in worship we require as a part of our Safer Sanctuary policy that their parent/guardian fill out a release form.
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MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE
March 28 - 7:00pm
Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. Two important events are the focus of this day. First, Jesus celebrated and instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion. Second, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word mandatum for “command.” On this night we remember the command Jesus gave to his disciples that they should be known by their love and service to one another and the world.
You are invited to come for this special worship service in fellowship hall as we gather around candle lit tables to remember another night long ago where Jesus gathered with his disciples to show them just how much God loves us all.
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GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
March 29 - 12:00pm
Join us for our Good Friday service as we hear the message of the cross and connect to God in prayer. Our service will be in person at Noon and live streamed on our public Facebook page.
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EASTER BRUNCH
March 31 - 9:30am & 11:30am
Easter brunch will be served following each service on Easter day. Join us for French toast, sausage and bacon, fruit, salad, corned beef, hash browns, eggs, cereal and more! Meat-free and gluten-free options will be available.
If you have any questions, please contact Audra at 262-388-0366 or audraobrien931@gmail.com.
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NEW DISCIPLESHIP RESOURCES
Resources for Children, Youth, & Intergenerational Groups
for Holy Week
Family Ministry is looking forward to sharing a new resource, Storytelling with Shapes: Holy Week from Illustrated Ministry, at our Children's Chapel Time on Palm Sunday. We will combine colorful shapes (tans) into images (tangrams) to help us in age appropriate ways to imagine and tell of a journey, Jesus’ journey through Holy Week. All children in attendance on Palm Sunday will get to take their set of tangrams home to share with their families.
Because these tangrams are a great way to share stories for all ages, we will have extra sets available at the Lenten Resources display in the gathering area of the church building for all who would like a set.
We hope this new way of telling, hearing, and shaping these Holy Week stories will allow for a deeper understanding of the events of Holy Week as we piece together how they fit into our lives today.
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STATIONS OF PETER
Holy Week Prayer Stations in St. Paul's Chapel
March 25-30
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday - 9am-4pm
Wednesday - 9am-8pm
Thursday - 9am-8pm
Friday - 11am-3pm
Journey through Jesus’ final moments through the eyes of his disciple, Peter.
Holy Week prayer stations invite you to walk “the way of sorrows” to the cross, but through the eyes and experiences of one of Jesus’ closest disciples. By focusing on Peter, we imagine how we might have acted and behaved had we been there as one of Jesus’ followers and friends.
Stations of Peter include six self-guided prayer stations in St. Paul's Chapel. Each station features scripture readings and multi-sensory ways to engage and creatively respond to the scripture.
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INFORMATIONAL ZOOM EVENT
Mary Martha Circle is connecting with the leaders of the mission in Eau Claire who are working against Human Trafficking and helping the victims. We have contributed hundreds of bags of left over clothing to their mission from the rummage sales.
We will be Zooming with the founders of Rescued and Redeemed on April 2 at 7:00 pm. Anyone can join us. Please send your email if interested and Cathy Martin will forward the link to join us that night.
You may call, text or email Cathy at jcmartin@charter.net or 7l5 340 8426 to share your email. You also can join without video and just listen to the speakers and the conversations.
All are welcome to learn more about this mission and learn what we can do to help them
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PLEASE BEGIN TO WEAR YOUR NAME TAGS
In recent months, we have been blessed with many new people attending our church. Remembering names can be a challenge for most of us. Name tags help with this and also help us recognize the visitors so we can be more welcoming. Prior to the pandemic, we were wearing our name tags. Now that we seem to be more “normal”, we need to resume wearing them. Children need name tags as well. It helps them feel part of our family. The name tags can be found on the two kiosks in the gathering area. They are placed by last name, alphabetically. If you don’t have one (you don’t need to be a member), lost yours or it’s broken, there is a clip board on the table under the Connection Center sign. If you have any questions or problems, contact Barb Munson at barbm72446@gmamil.com. She can also show you how to shorten the lanyard.
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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 March 22. Come for insight, fellowship and laughter. Any questions, contact Yvonne Chojnacki at 715/340-9333
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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 April 2.
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 – April 3 – Local Foods featuring Meatloaf
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MONTHLY PRAYER BREAKFAST
Next date: Thursday, April 4 @ 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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POTLUCK SUNDAYS
Next potluck is on April 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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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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Church Camp Registration Is Open
July 21-26, 2024
Lake Lucerne Camp & Retreat Center, Wautoma, WI
Camp is a fun week that is full of holy surprises. Come join us for our 48th year of St. Paul’s Church Camp. This year you will find out who Nicodemus was through our play “Nic at Night.” We will explore what it means to seek Jesus, believe Jesus and serve Jesus. If you’re ready for a week of holy shenanigans, musical mischief, and to connect with the camp family you didn’t know you had, register at www.stevenspointumc.org/camp.
This year’s cost is $345 per camper (ages 8-17). Send two campers from the same household and get the third one free! Scholarships available for all! Costs should NEVER keep someone away from camp.
If you have any questions, contact the church office and one of our co-directors will contact you.
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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 March goes toward UMCOR Sunday. 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
Several new refugee families are joining our community and could use your help providing important needed items. Aside from the list of items below, volunteers to help with rides to appointments and setting up apartments are appreciated. Needed items:
Diapers – size 3 and 5 most needed
Floor lamps
Bedroom items
Cleaning supplies
- dish soap
- laundry soap
- dryer sheets
- cleaning products
- mops/brooms
Personal care items
- soap
- toothpaste
- toothbrushes
- combs
- brushes
- shampoo
- conditioner
- razors/shaving cream
Paper products
- toilet paper
- paper towels
Kitchen Items
- pots and pans – large pots needed most
- casserole dishes for stove
- tea kettles
- coffee pots
- knife sets
- can openers
- dish scrubbers
- sponges
- potholders
- food storage
- dish drying racks
- sink strainer
- drinking glasses
- trash cans – all sizes
- cooking utensils
Bathroom Items
- shower curtains
- shower rods/hooks
- bath mats
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Schultz on the refugee support team at 715-345-1438 or schultzmf1@gmail.com. Donated items can be brought to the refugee room at the church.
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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”
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.
We are making progress on finding a place to launch our One Big Tent Welcome Center. It is our hope and dream that this Welcome Center will be a day center for those in need and with case management we can help people to develop a pathway to sustainability, stability, and wholeness.
The goals of the Welcome Center are:
1. To be a “one stop” welcoming hub for those in crisis; triage immediate trauma by meeting the basic human needs.
2. To be a people-centered, welcoming hub for ongoing case management and services, in collaboration with local partners, programs, and organizations.
3. To enhance existing systems where and when gaps become apparent or are already missing.
4. 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.
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.
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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