The Apostle from St. Paul
The Monthly Newsletter for October 2015
www.stpaullakeland.com 901-387-0007
Worship Services: 9:00 and 11:00
Promiseland (with hourly components) in session 9-12
Sunday School: 10:00
Message from Mike
I once read a legend about a man who found the barn where Satan kept the seeds of sin stored. In bag after bag, seeds were stored that were destined to grow in the hearts of people who allowed these seeds to enter into their lives. Seeds of envy and greed. Seeds of hatred and bitterness. Seeds of idolatry and lust. In row after row, bag after bag, all the seeds of sin could be found – waiting to be planted in human hearts. The man asked Satan if the seeds would grow anywhere. Reluctantly, Satan admitted there was one place in which he could never get the seeds of sin to grow. “And where is that?” asked the man. Satan replied sadly, “In the heart of a thankful person.”
November is a month in which we are invited to consider our blessings and be thankful. It all begins on All Saints Sunday, November 1st when we remember and give thanks for the “Saints” the brothers and sisters in Christ who have walked before us and now rest from their travels here on earth. On All Saints Sunday; we will especially remember and give thanks for these “Saints” of St. Paul who joined the Church Eternal during this year: Betty Roberson, Lauren Clemmons, Nita Dunn, Adron Tucker, Tom Chapman, Steve Meyer, Fred King, and Nina Hillman .
On Wednesday, November 11; we as a nation will celebrate Veterans Day by giving thanks for and remembering those who have served and sacrificed to make sure we have the freedoms we cherish so much in our country today.
Of course, on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th; we will stop and around bountiful tables to give thanks to the One who has so richly blessed us with goodness and mercy.
All through the month of November; we will be invited during worship services to show our thankfulness to God by making commitments of our time, prayers, gifts, service, and witness culminating in a Commitment Sunday on November 22nd. We will be invited to remember that the best expression of thankfulness is found not in words but in action. We will also be invited to remember that it is in the living out of thankfulness we find our hearts strengthened so that we have protection from the one who is looking for places to plant the seeds of sin in our lives. My prayer is that the spirit of thankfulness will fill our hearts and show in our lives.
Peace and grace,
Michael Morris
Don’t forget we fall back this weekend!
Turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night and enjoy an extra hour of sleep.
(Remember, it’s also a good time to check the batteries in you smoke detectors.)
Operation Christmas Child
October is here and even though Christmas is a couple months away we are already collecting for Operation Christmas Child. This year you can participate in a couple ways. You can get a box and pack it yourself or you can donate items from the list below and the KIDS will pack the boxes for you during a packing party on Wednes
day, November 4th after Wednesday Night Diner.Assembling boxes will be fun for the kids. They can also put special notes inside them for the recipients to receive. Boxes and How to Pack a Box instructions along with a list of items needed are outside the church office and in the Narthex.
November Communion Offering – Fayette Cares
A ministry in Fayette County, empowering those in need with Hope, Independence and Lasting Solutions through a food pantry, shelter, financial aid, thrift shop, help for women/children in domestic violence situations and more.
Kroger Rewards
Did you know you can sign up for Kroger Community Rewards and raise money for St. Paul?
We have received our first check in the amount of
$593.69
Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!If you aren't enrolled in Kroger Community Rewards, please go here: https://www.kroger.com/account/communityrewards/enroll and select St. Paul United Methodist Church- Lakeland, TN so that any time you shop at Kroger our church ministries get credit and can receive a donation from Kroger every quarter - this doesn't cost you anything and doesn't impact your points! https://www.kroger.com/account/communityrewards/enroll. You can search by name or our number is 71627. If you would like to sign up but don’t use a computer or having trouble signing up just drop by the office and we will be happy to help you.
Charge Conference
Charge Conference is the annual meeting of the church in which we elect our officers, review our ministries and set our goals for the next year. This year our Charge Conference will be held on Sunday evening, November 22 at 6 PM. Cynthia Davis, our district superintendent will conduct the meeting. All are invited to come.
Holiday Turkey/Hams
By the Methodist Men
Smoked Turkey ~ Smoked Spiral Cut Ham ~ $45 each
We will be taking orders until Sunday, November 22th
Pick-up will be Tuesday, November 24th in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. You can also pre-order for Christmas.
To order contact a member of Methodist Men or
Contact the church office at 387-007
Please help the Methodist Men raise money for St. Paul projects.
Thanksgiving Holiday Casserole Sale
The United Methodist Women will be taking orders for Thanksgiving holiday casseroles for the next three Sunday's - Nov. 1, 8, and 15 in the Narthex after the 9 o'clock service, and before and after the 11 o'clock service. Casseroles are to be paid for at the time of purchase. The casseroles will be available for pick up on Sunday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday evening, Nov. 24. Prices: Medium is $15.00 (8x8 or 9x9); Large is $20.00 (9x13). Proceeds will go to support UMW mission projects. We appreciate your support!
Ruth Circle
The Ruth Circle will meet Friday, November 6 at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Mary Harris will provide refreshments and Beth Ottlinger will provide a devotion. All ladies are welcome to attend.
Veterans Day Candle Burning
To honor, remember and celebrate are Veterans for Veterans Day, give a $5.00 gift to the United Methodist Women missions and a candle will be lit and a flag will be places on the altar on Sunday, November 8th. Please see Ginger Swearingen or any UMW member in the narthex before or after the worship services. The dead line to sign up is November 2nd.
Blood Drive
The last blood drive of the year will be held on Nov 8th. The signup sheet will be in the narthex beginning October 25th. You can also email Martha Clark at to sign up.
UMNC Thanksgiving Baskets
Once again, the United Methodist Neighborhood Center is asking United Methodist Churches to provide Thanksgiving baskets for needy families in the Memphis area. Items needed for each basket are listed below. They are due into the church by Sunday, November 15. If you have questions, please contact Janet Woodward at 647-4635 (cell).
Reusable Bag (16” W x 14.25” H) [TJ Maxx - $2]
2 Boxes of Dressing
2 cans CranberrySauce
2 cans Corn
2 cans Green Beans
40 oz. can Sweet Potatoes
26 oz. Box Instant Potatoes
4-5 lbs. Flour
4-5 lbs. Sugar
40 oz. Biscuit Mix
24 oz. Canola Oil
1 Box Powdered Milk
1 Box Family-Size Tea Bags
1 Box Cake Mix & 1 can Icing
1 jar Instant Coffee
$15 Kroger Card for Turkey/Ham
Food Bank
We are still collecting non-perishable food items for the Memphis Food Bank. You can bring you items by the church office on Sundays or Monday-Thursday between 9 AM and 4 PM.
St Paul Youth
Weekly Meetings:
Sunday
Jr/Sr High Sunday School 10 – 10:50 in the Youth Lounge
Youth Fellowship – 3-6pm in the Youth Lounge & Fellowship Hall
Wednesday
Bible Study - 6:30 – 7:30 pm (see below for locations)
NO YOUTH FELLOWSHIP on:
November 15th – Returning from Fall Retreat
November 29th – Holiday Weekend
Special Youth Programs
November Youth Gathering – Tacky Prom
Nov 8th in the Fellowship Hall – 4 – 7 pm
We have invited youth from the Metro Memphis Conference (and beyond) to come and fellowship together. There will be music, food, small group discussion (about building relationships with difficult people) and a canned food drive. A $5 charge will cover our costs and any overage will go to the Mid-south Food Bank.
Youth Bible Studies
During this semesters Wednesday church Nights the youth are studying:
Jr. High: (meet in Room 2) Studying Re:Form Ancestors (Lydia, Elijah, Rahab, Daniel, Deborah, Sampson, and maybe Paul)
Sr. High: (meet in the Youth Lounge) Studying “Echo the Story” the Old Testament Lessons
The youth would like to thank Thomas Trieschman, Cory Koesterman, Sean Higgins, Sharon Brown, and Stephanie Wyatt for helping to make these Studies possible.
Youth Fall Retreat
Please be in prayer for our youth while they attend this Retreat
Fall Conference Spiritual Retreat
November 13th – 15th @ Lakeshore UMA
This retreat will give our youth an opportunity to grow in their faith, build community, and strengthen bonds within our group.
Final Payments will be due November 2nd
We will leave St. Paul around 5 pm Friday and
Return around 3 pm Sunday Afternoon
Youth Fundraiser – Save the Date
Parent’s Night Out - Nov 21st – 5pm - 9pm
$20 for the first child and $5 for each additional Child
Youth will provide games, a craft, a movie, a drink and a snack (please provide a sack dinner for your child)
Money raised during this fundraiser will go towards Youth Trips and Retreats
Breakfast with Santa – December 5th @ 9 – 10:30 am
the youth will again host a time for families to come and share a pancake breakfast with the jolly ol’ elf, take pictures, and sing songs.
More information will be coming soon.
*The Youth Ministry Team would like to set up a Youth Retreat Scholarship Fund for families who need assistance sending their children on any of our future retreats. Because sometimes, especially in families with multiple teenagers in the group and even after fundraising, the cost to attend these very beneficial retreats are more than our families can afford.
If you would like to support this scholarship fund, please contact Shannon Pryor by phone or email.
STEWARDSHIP
Actual Year to Date Financial Reporting for period ending October 25, 2015:
This is preliminary, before all adjustments made:
YTD offering $470,546
Other Income $28,838
Less: Expenses ($505,814)
YTD net loss ($ 6,430)
Capital Campaign:
Total pledged to date: $487,115 from 87 pledge cards.
Year 2014-current
Capital Campaign Funds Received: $246,891
Less: Capital Campaign Expenses: ($38,925)
Less: Bond Payment: ($185,003)
Less: Debt Payment fees: ($617)
Net Funds Available for Next Bond Payment: $22,346
We Lift Up in Prayer
CONCERNS:
Shannon Ruhl by Tom Ruhl;
Focus and patience as I take these two college courses by Jonathan Ashton;
Lauren Moody-St. Jude, the Peritt family-death of daughter and sister Ashlyn,
Rachel Dye –youth with cancer by the Alexanders;
Joyce Hunt, Debbie Russell by Karen Udovich;
Roy Emerson – undergoing tests for multiple myeloma by Brad and Amy Emerson;
Judy and Adam King by Donna Lawson;
Rhonda Davis Austin – in a car accident by Emma Jordan;
My dad John Austin by Julie Bingham;
Robert Cheshire by Faye Temple;
Wanda Cooper, Leon and Virginia Hopper, Tommy and Glynda Whitlow by Carol
Pollard;
My daughter Jennifer Leidlein by Janice Campbell;
Sharon Moore’s daughter Wanda, family of Nina Hillman, family of Fred King,
the family of Garrett Helms, Wanda Cooper, Leon Hopper by Sammie Walker;
Eureka Church by Joyce Burcky;
Bryant’s unstable glucose levels by Elizabeth Von Hofe;
Larry Maxwell had a liver transplant on Saturday the 24th by Lake and Joyce Smith;
Cory’s safe travels next 2-3 weeks by Karlene Koesterman;
Marty Scudder-heart surgery, my family up north in Ohio by Janet Bennett;
Brenda Rutz, Judy and Adam King, the Whitlows, Wanda Cooper by Judy McMurry;
King family, Leon, Moose, Brenda Rutz and family by the Mooks;
Friends traveling to Nevada and back by Ginger Swearingen;
Judy and Adam King by Donna Lawson;
Families affected by yesterday’s tragedy in OK by Mary Harris;
JOYS:
Fun Trunk-or-Treat by the Emersons;
Cale Alexander accepted to PT school Fall 2016 by the Alexanders;
Getting to have a wonderful evening with my wife as we celebrated the Navy
Ball by Ashtons;
A wonderful birthday celebration with family, Jerry’s fractured rib healing by
Ginger Swearingen;
My Mom feeling better and settled in her new apartment by Sandy Zorn;
My blessing for being back here with Church family by Janet Bennett;
New neighbors, celebration of Taylor and Martha Clark’s wedding by Sammie Walker;
Regular Weekly Schedule
Sundays:
9:00 am Contemporary Worship ~ Sanctuary
9:00 am Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall
Disciple IV ~ Room 2
10:00 am Youth and Adult Sunday School
Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall
11:00 am Traditional Worship ~ Sanctuary
Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm Prayer Opportunity ~ Sanctuary Conf. Rm.
1:00 pm Soccer Practice
3:00 pm PiYo ~ Gym
3:00 pm Youth Fellowship ~ Youth Lounge
4:00 pm Healthy Living Small Grp.
Weekdays
8:30 am Walking Group ~ Wolfchase Mall
Mondays
9:00 am Preschool
7:00 pm Boy Scouts ~ Education Building
Tuesdays
9:00 am Preschool
7:00 pm Cub Scouts
Wednesday
9:30 am Women’s Bible Study ~ Room 2
5:30 pm Wednesday Night Dinner ~ Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Wednesday Night Studies
7:30 pm Choir Practice
Thursday
9:00 am Preschool
7:00 pm Contemporary Band Practice
Upcoming Meetings and Special Events
Sunday, November 1