A Reconciling Congregation having
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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Well, another Easter is over. Another trip to the cross of Calvary completed. Another journey to the empty tomb finished. Another joyful day celebrated. However, Easter is not just about a day to celebrate and move on as if nothing happened, but about living a life where we remember the promises of hope, peace and love found in all the places of our lives, even some we don’t often expect.
When I was a child, my parents always had a fun tradition for Easter. On Easter morning we would go up the road to my grandparent’s farm to look for my Easter basket that they had hidden somewhere. They would give me a piece of paper with jumbled letters you had to unscramble that would lead me to another place on the farm and another clue. After following several clues, I would eventually find my basket in some odd place. I would find it hidden amongst the farm equipment, in an old truck, or even in the chicken coop. It was a lot of fun to find my basket every year in some surprising place.
As we move through the Easter season, we celebrate the Good News hidden in surprising places. Who would think to discover new life in a graveyard? Who expects crying to turn into joy? Who imagines forgiveness in despair? On Easter morning, the women discovered the risen Christ in the midst of their deep sorrow and tears.
At times we can think that God has forgotten about us, but the promises of Easter and the empty tomb is that God will always find us, even in the darkest valleys and the farthest corners of the world. We should not be surprised to discover God wherever and whenever we are in need. In hospital rooms with a loved one who is sick, in our living rooms when our families are dealing with a crisis or in our cars alone with our thoughts dealing with the stresses of life, God is there. More than that God astonishes us with grace and love that surround us and carries us when we need it most. Easter reminds us to have open hearts and spirits so that we can see God in unusual places. In this season, let us take time in prayer, on a walk, or just taking a break to recognize God at work in our world and moving in our lives. Let us rejoice that the risen Christ is with us and that no matter where we are or what we are going through, he will always find us.
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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CELEBRATING CHRISTIAN
HOME MONTH
Connect with us this May as we celebrate and support the Christian home and its key role as a center of faith formation. Look for connections in our worship services, gathering area, online communications and more!
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SAVE THE DATE:
Third Grade Bible Sunday
May 14 at 10:30AM
We are excited to be presenting the CEB Deep Blue Kids Bible. This engaging, interactive Bible offers a wealth of interactive elements to capture inquisitive young minds, encouraging a thirst for God’s timeless message and what it means to their lives.
If you have a third grader, or older child that has not yet received a bible, please sign up by contacting Laura at lauracourtright@gmail.com or call/ text at 715/340-4523.
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GROWING KINDNESS GARDENS would LOVE to invite the young and the young at heart to become a Lego MASTER BUILDER!! Lego week themes will take place through May 22nd alongside growing kindness gardens meeting. We will have “build it” lego library books to help one and all with inspiration. We will also have an assortment of lego bricks as well as Duplo blocks. If you are a lover of lego or are just looking to plug into your church community, we invite you to be a part of the fun!
April 17 – Things that fly May 8 – Building(s)
April 24 – Parable May 15 – The Jungle
May 1 – Robot May 22 – Parable
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CHILDREN'S FAITH FORMATION CHAPEL TIME
following the Children's Moment
at the 10:30 am Worship Service
Age-Based Lessons and Activities
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Spring Rummage Sale
May 16 & 17, 2023
It is time to start cleaning out closets, housewares, books and garages. We need your good used items for this sale. Please NO electronics, curtain rods, window blinds, bed frames, bed rails or light fixtures - these items do not sell. (Community Thrift Store (St. Vinnie’s) and Goodwill will not accept them.) These items end up in our dumpster and we have to pay to dispose of them. Your treasures may be placed on the stage in Fletcher Hall during office/building hours.
• Set up is Monday, May 15th, 9 am till 6 pm. If we have an abundance of items we will have an extra set-up day on the previous Friday or Saturday.
• The Rummage Sale dates are: Tuesday, May 16th, 8 am-6 pm; and Wednesday,
May 17th, 8 am-11 am.
The sale will be held both in Fletcher Hall and Hazel Calkins Fellowship Hall.
• Clean up follows the end of the sale on May 17th. Many hands are needed to make this a success. Whatever time you can donate to this event is much appreciated. Men, their trucks, trailers and muscles are needed on Wednesday, May 17th, after the sale ends, to help pack, move tables and haul leftovers to Community Thrift Store (St. Vinnie’s) or Goodwill.
Questions or if you are able to help volunteer for any of this time (setup or sale), please contact Bonnie Lund (715/345-0247) or bonnielund@charter.net. Thank you!
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COMMUNICATION SERVICES COORDINATOR
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
St. Paul’s – The Springs United Methodist Church believes in Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors.
People are at the heart of what we do. This position serves by creating, coordinating and communicating internally and externally church communications while providing administrative support needed for church operations. If you are a creative, organized administrative professional looking for a collaborative, friendly work environment, with schedule flexibility, this is the job for you.
What You’ll Do:
· Provide administrative functions necessary to the daily church operations.
· Greet and assist visitors, church members, and staff to the church office.
· File maintenance.
· Coordinate components of Sunday worship.
· Maintain clerical supply inventory while overseeing all business machine functions of church office.
· Coordinate on-site events; scheduling rooms, securing technology needed and guest services.
· Work closely with the Discipleship Coordinator and partner with the pastor, other church staff and ministry leaders to promote events through various communication platforms.
· Create and coordinate internal and external church communication using a variety of platforms; email, social media, PowerPoint.
· Ensure website, social media, church calendar, church monitors, and bulletin board content is current.
What you bring:
· Strong written and verbal communication skills.
· Proven success with business communication, outreach, and branding.
· Current operating knowledge of technology necessary to ensure efficient and streamlined processes (Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, Adobe, etc.).
· Ability to work with diverse groups of people.
· Ability to maintain confidentiality.
· Excellent organization skills with a strong attention to detail.
· Ability to pivot and quickly shift priorities as needed.
· Change management experience is a plus.
What We Offer:
· Starting salary: $18-$20/hour
· Friendly, welcoming, pleasant work environment.
· Schedule flexibility, select the shift that works best for you between the hours 8am-5pm M-F to equal 30-40 hrs. per week.
· This position provides paid holidays, sick time, and vacation pay
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DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATOR
St. Paul’s – The Springs United Methodist Church believes in Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors.
People are at the heart of what we do. This position coordinates disciple-building opportunities for prospective church members while coordinating and cultivating disciple-growing opportunities for current church members. This person will be tasked with helping the internal and external community live out the church’s mission and vision through Connecting, Growing, and Serving. If you are an engaged professional with public speaking and outreach experience seeking a public relations role, with schedule flexibility, this is the job for you.
What You’ll Do:
· Develop relationships with church committee leaders to learn about their goals and ministries in developing disciples.
· Attend worship, church, and community events regularly.
· Encourage active mission volunteering and support engagement.
· Collaborate with staff and leadership on strategies to invite and engage community members into our ministries and congregation.
· Coordinate volunteer opportunities for church members of all ages to be engaged in the church and community.
· Meet individually with church members or in small groups to determine how they can best serve.
What you bring:
· Demonstrated servant’s heart – previous experience as a Lay Servant/Stephen Minister/Small Group leader or equivalent is preferred.
· Engaging public speaking and presentation skills.
· Previous experience with public relations/outreach.
· Ability to work with diverse groups of people.
· Self-starter, with proven experience managing multiple priorities.
What We Offer:
- Starting salary $20-$23/hr. based on experience.
- Friendly, welcoming, pleasant work environment.
- Schedule flexibility, select the shift that works best for you to connect with church teams to equal 15-20 hrs. per week.
- This position provides 2 weeks unpaid vacation.
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BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS
Blood pressure checks will be held the second Sunday of each month between services in the church library by one of our parish nurses. Short sleeves helpful.
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BOOK REVIEW GATHERING
We will have a gathering on Thursday, May 11 at
1:00 p.m. in the church library. If you can't come, let Bonnie Lund know that you are interested at 715/345-0247 or at bonnielund@charter.net.
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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.
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LOOSE COINS
The Coins of Compassion for April will be in support of UMCOR - U.S. Disasters. 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 "UMCOR-U.S. Disasters" 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.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
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OPEN DOOR BISTRO!
The Open Door Bistro season will continue throughout the school year. Meals will be served in Hazel Calkins Fellowship Hall from 5:15 – 6:00 pm on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Our last Open Door Bistro for this season will be May 17. Please come with your family or friends to enjoy the fellowship and simple meals together. Brochures listing service dates and other program details are available at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Area. Individuals interested in serving in the Bistro ministry are always welcome. Please contact Sandy Shave at 715/592-4346 or sandra.shave@gmail.com to volunteer or for further information.
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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.
During the pandemic, I needed to shift how I connected with people since I could not always visit in person. This is why I began to call people so that I could visit by phone. This was a good compromise, however, for 2023 I would like to return to more in person visits.
And this is where I need your help. 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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SPIRITUAL FORMATION TEAM
Spiritual formation is growing and being formed in our faith. It is becoming more and more like the image of Jesus we reflect to our world. This happens in many ways through prayer, Bible study, small group discussion, retreats, devotionals and many other ways. As part of our Revitalization Plan we would like to form a new team that would lead us on the journey of growing in our faith. Some of the tasks of this new team would include:
a. Developing a Discipleship Pathway for our church community as the guiding resource to help people grow deeper in their faith.
b. Working with the Worship Team to utilize the labyrinth during Advent/Lent/Other times.
c. Developing spiritual formation retreats – speakers, authors, musicians, etc.
d. Assessing interest and offering training to begin small groups – for families – men’s small group – women’s small group – topical small groups.
e. Offering resources to equip people to discuss Jesus out in the community.
f. Encouraging and providing resources to groups/ministries that meet or use the building, and to incorporate a time of spiritual formation in their agenda
g. Producing bi-monthly programs in the Plover area focusing on faith and life. Examples: worship for seniors who are in care facilities, outreach to ethnic groups, a program featuring a speaker with a faithful message, etc.
If you are interested in serving on this team, please talk with Pastor Tim.
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GROWTH GROUP STUDIES
Mondays
7:00 pm - Women's Bible Study - Sanctuary (via ZOOM & In-Person) (Contact Audra audraobrien931@gmail.com if you would like to join)
Tuesdays
7:00 pm - Women's Bible Study - Sanctuary (via ZOOM & In-Person) (Contact Audra audraobrien931@gmail.com if you would like to join)
Fridays
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Recently, I read an overview of the heavenly sanctuary and the earthly replica of that sanctuary.
I hope you’ll enjoy parts of it as much as I did as we introduce the newest area of Bible study that the Women’s Bible Study group will begin exploring.
“The studying of the sanctuary brings us close to the presence of the supreme and to the personality of our Savior drawing us into a deeper and closer relationship with Him. We will study both the earthly model and the heavenly original.”
Every lady, of every age, is invited to our study. We will meet on both Monday and Tuesday nights, both in a hybrid fashion, at 7:00 pm in the library at the church and on zoom. Each night will be identical to one another so attending on Monday, for example, you will cover the same material that will be covered on Tuesday night.
I look forward to studying with you :) Audra
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 847 9226 9693
Passcode: 270660
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
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FLY HIGH
In Chasing Vines, Beth Moore gives us fresh hope, revealing the abundant secrets of a fruitful, God-delighting life. Tracing the images of vine, branch, and fruit through Scriptures, Beth shows us that nothing in our lives is wasted. Join Beth on her journey of discovering the delights of bearing fruit, and fully embrace God’s brilliant design for us to live a fruitful, abundant, meaningful life.
Fly High meets on Fridays at noon in the Thomas Coke Room and also on zoom. If you would like to join this study, please contact Yvonne at 715/344-3557 or ychojnacki@stevenspointumc.org.
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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
Ethnic shampoo- for our African families
Conditioner
Ethnic conditioner
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”
For over a year our joint ministry of reaching out to our neighbors in need known as One Big Tent has been operating out of our offices (1039b B Ellis St.) in downtown Stevens Point. This ministry which we are doing cooperatively with other congregations in Stevens Point and Plover has helped over 80+ individuals who are in various forms of crisis from homelessness, domestic violence, threats of eviction, illness, to a loss of a job.
Over this past year we have stood with our neighbors in need who …
- asked for help working with their landlord to prevent an eviction
- requested money for job training classes
- wanted bicycles to get to work
- needed assistance with transportation
- needed assistance in finding shelter and/or food resources in our community
- needed help with budgeting
- needed help filling out housing or job applications
- needed a shower, which we provide for free in our building along with shower supplies
- needed clothes such as t-shirts, socks, underwear or blankets, hats, gloves which have all been generously donated along with a storage unit for our office
- needed help washing their clothes which we do for free on Wednesdays through our Laundry Love ministry
- desired spiritual care and friendship
As you can see our main goal is to build relationships with those who come for help as we listen to their stories and walk with them in their need.
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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MEET & GREET HOSTS NEEDED
@ 10:30 SERVICE
You would be responsible for set up and clean up. Before service you would need to make coffee as needed so it is ready. Make sure there is a pitcher of water in the refrigerator and there are utensils out for any treats that are there. After service you would need to wash up and put away the coffee pots, clean up the snacks and drinks area and wipe down areas & tables as needed.
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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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FAIR TRADE COFFEE SALE
You can find all Fair Trade products in the church office. Call the church office (715/344-3557) if you would like an item pulled for you and placed in the church exchange box outside of the church building for you to pick up.
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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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If you or a loved one are in the hospital and would like a visit from Pastor Tim or a lay person, please contact the church office at 715/344-3557. If this happens on a weekend, please contact Pastor Tim (262/388-4635). |
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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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