MARCH 2017

St. Paul's Newsletter

Reformation 500 When Luther nailed 95 Theses (statements) to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, it was to counteract the false ideas that had been spreading among the people. Many were claiming that they didn’t need to repent because they could purchase forgiveness of sins through an indulgence from the church. Luther replied with the first and perhaps most important of his 95 theses: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Matthew 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Luther wanted the people to return to the heart of Jesus’ message: repent and turn to Jesus. But what exactly is repentance, and why should it matter to us throughout our lives? Article XII of the Augsburg Confession, a Lutheran confessional writing, states that repentance consists in two parts: “one is contrition or the terrors that strike the conscience when sin is recognized; the other is faith, which is brought to life by the gospel or absolution. This faith believes that sins are forgiven on account of Christ, consoles the conscience, and liberates it from terrors.” Has your conscience ever been terrified? If not, ponder the meaning of your sin that separates you from God (Isaiah 59:2), the power of the Devil (1 Peter 5:8), the inevitability of death (Genesis 3:19), and the reality of hell (Isaiah 66:24), and you understand that no rational person could feel anything but terror at the eternal consequences for our sin.

Your Whole Life is Repentance Has your conscience ever been liberated from this terror by the gospel? If not, ponder the gospel of Christ and what it means for you: Jesus has defeated the Devil (1 John 3:8), death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55), Christ has overcome hell and opened heaven for us (Revelation 1:18; Luke 23:43), and all your sins are forgiven and washed clean in the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 7:14). Terror at sin and faith in forgiveness – this is repentance. This Lent, as we meditate on Jesus’ suffering and death for the whole world, we will see that repentance is actually a gift from God, who reveals our sin and its terror to us so that we can rejoice all the more in our Savior and the freedom of his forgiveness. Begin every day in repentance, as you confess your sin and the terror it brings, as you trust in Christ’s forgiveness and rejoice in your eternal salvation. We will always have our sin with us in this life, but even more we will always have a Savior who frees us from our sin. For both reasons we heed the words of Jesus and Luther that our whole life is one of repentance. Now is the day we have sinned. Now is the day God forgives us in Christ. Now is the day to repent and turn to Jesus. During this Lenten season, may that powerful weight of God’s law crush you, and may his healing gospel restore and strengthen you through faith in Christ.

LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES Our midweek Lenten Services will be held each Wednesday, March 1 through April 5. Services will begin at 6:15 pm. Please join us as we consider the truth that God calls all of us sinners to humbly Repent: Turn to Jesus!, as we meditate on his suffering and death for us. Remember that our Lenten services will begin at 6:15, with a supper at 5:30. Midweek 1 March 1 Repent: Turn to Jesus and Not to Yourself Midweek 2 March 8 Repent: Turn to Jesus! Do Not Turn Away Midweek 3 March 15 Repent: Turn to Jesus! He Holds the Key to Heaven Midweek 4 March 22 Repent: Turn to Jesus! He Longs to Forgive You Midweek 5 March 29 Repent: Turn to Jesus! He Changes Your Life Midweek 6 April 5 Repent: Turn to Jesus! When You Face Temptations

In Our Prayers

Luke 18:9-14 Matthew 27:1-5 Luke 23:35-45 Luke 23:32-34 Luke 7:44-50 Mark 14:32-38

LENTEN MEALS

Joseph Jensen, who was hospitalized.

5:30pm - 6:00pm

Betty Parrott, who was hospitalized.

Various groups of our congregation provide meals before our six Lenten Worship Services. A freewill offering will be received at each meal for the organization that serves. The serving schedule is as follows: Mar. 1 St. Paul’s Ladies Mar. 8 SODAK Mar. 15 Men Mar. 22 St. Paul’s Ladies Mar. 29 FCE Apr. 5 St. Paul’s Ladies

Kim Stackenwalt, who had eye surgery. Mrs. Della Wishard, who had hip surgery. Ralph Rice, whose mother was called home to heaven. Faron Raile, who was hospitalized. Heather Ryan, who had her appendix removed. Dorothy Wilson, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Boyd and Hazel Foster, who were hospitalized with RSV. Brianna Kiewel & Drew Haffner, who were united in marriage. Ben & Deb (Cook) Weber, whom the Lord blessed with the gift of a healthy baby girl, Isabell. Clint & Sarah (Foelske) Scheirer, whom the Lord blessed with the gift of a healthy baby boy, Seeley.

CATECHISM DURING LENT

Wednesdays - 4:15 to 5:50 pm The 5 through 8th Grade Catechism Classes will meet at 4:15 during the Lenten Season and end at 5:50, so the students can eat in the fellowship hall before worship. Children and parents are encouraged to stay for the Lenten Services at 6:15. th

LENT BY CANDLELIGHT April 9 - 6:00 pm

All ladies of St. Paul’s are invited to “The Quiet Voices of Lent - A Lent by Candlelight Meditation.” Please join us for an evening of meditation and song as we prepare our hearts for the passion of our Lord and what it means to each of us individually. The focus of this meditation is on the passion of Christ as seen by some of the ordinary people who participated in the events of that week. Refreshments and dessert will be served. You are welcome and encouraged to use this event as an outreach opportunity. Invite a relative, friend, or neighbor to share in this Lenten meditation. Be on the lookout for a sign-up sheet at the beginning of March.

LIFE SUNDAY Sunday, March 5

We will be celebrating our annual Life Sunday on March 5. (March 25 is the honorary conception date of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gives us life.) If you would like to contribute toward the work of Lutherans for Life, please use the special Christian Life Resources envelope in your envelope box. This offering will be used to support the WELS Lutherans for Life national office, the Home For Mothers in Milwaukee, and the education of our congregation on life issues. If you would like some educational information on life issues, please see Rob Busch or go to christianliferesources.com

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY Thursday, March 30 - 6:30

The St. Paul’s Ladies’ Bible Study with Pastor Free is held on the last Thursday of every month, followed by a business meeting. All ladies are welcome. On March 30, at 6:30, we will be discussing “Close Communion: Are we closing the door on reaching the lost?”

LADIES’ BOOK CLUB March 2 & 16 - 6:30 pm

The Book Club will meet on Thursday, March 2, at 6:30, at Brittany Pruess’ apartment. We are starting a new book, Why the Sky Is Blue, by Susan Meissner. Please read through page 99. Questions? Call Deb Morris at 484-8963 or Dawn Sanborn at 390-0865.

CALLS EXTENDED The Lord guided the voters of St. Paul’s to call Sarah Krajewski, who currently serves as a lead preschool teacher at Lambs of Grace, Charlotte, NC, to serve as our Preschool Director/Teacher and Catharyn Waggoner, who currently serves as a Preschool teacher at Risen Savior, Zion, IL, to serve as our Kindergarten teacher. We pray that God guides and directs them as they prayerfully and carefully consider their call to serve.

GYM FLOOR How grateful we are that the Lord has moved our members to offer over $15,000 to install the wood floor that we received for an auction bid of $5. Keeping in mind that there may be unforeseen expenses when installing the wood floor, as well as other work that we would like to do in the gym, such as installing dividers in the locker rooms, hanging a scoreboard, paying for the installation of four additional basketball hoops (all items received at the auction), as well as renovations at the parsonage, we would ask you to consider additional gifts to the “gym floor” fund which could then be used for these additional projects. We thank our glorious and gracious God for moving our members to such generous support and pray that He continues to bless our congregation as we hold to the truths of His precious Word.

MORNINGS WITH MOMMY March 7 & 21 - 10:00 to 11:00 am

Register at stpaulsknights.org for our March sessions. The sessions cost $5 per family and will take place at the Valley Site from 10:00-11:00 (note the time change) on Tuesday, March 7 (Frogs, Ducks, and Pond Animals) and on Tuesday, March 21 (Dinosaurs and Volcanoes).

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 12. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night (March 11).

FALL PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION & SUMMER DAYCARE SCHOOL CHOIRS SING IN CHURCH  K-8 Choir: Lent Worship, March 1, 6:15  Jr. Choir: Lent Worship, March 8, 6:15  Little Lambs: Lent Worship, March 15, 6:15 SPIRIT WEEK Spirit Week will take place February 27 - March 2  February 27: Fake an Injury Day  February 28: Sports Day  March 1: Formal/Career Day  March 2: Red/Black Day  March 2: Pep Rally (1:45 pm)

Registration for the 2017-18 Preschool has begun. Forms are available on the Preschool sign-in desk. Please turn your application in directly to Mrs. Maddox. It is first-come, first-served. Registration for Summer Daycare will begin on March 5.

3RD QUARTER REPORT CARDS On March 16, the 3rd quarter ends. Report Cards will be sent home on Tuesday, March 21.

2017-2018 SCHOOL REGISTRATION

SPRING BREAK/TEACHER IN-SERVICE Our school and preschool will be closed on Friday, March 17, and Monday, March 20, for Spring Break and Teacher In-service. School and preschool will resume on Tuesday, March 21.

Early Registration for the fall has begun. If you did not receive a registration packet, please stop by the school office. The registration fee is $30 per student. Students that are registered by April 30 will receive a $30 discount on the $650 education fee. Please register early.

CHILI & HOT DOG DINNER Sunday, March 12 Plays at 4:00 - Meal at 5:30

Our Annual Chili/Hot Dog Dinner will be held on March 12. At 4:00, the Preschool and students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will begin performing their plays in the gym. When the plays are over, around 5:30, we will go down to the fellowship hall (church basement) for chili and hot dogs. The men of the congregation are serving this meal (cooking, serving, cleaning). A freewill offering will be taken to help defray the cost of the meal. All are welcome to join us!

JUNIOR YOUTH PIZZA & GYM NIGHT

Friday, March 10 - 6:00 to 8:30 pm The Jr. Youth, grades 6-8, will gather in the Commons on Friday, March 10, from 6:00 to 8:30. We will have pizza, devotion, and play games in the gym for the evening. Our devotion theme will be Who Am I? I Am a Citizen of Heaven. Please bring $5 to help cover the cost of the pizza and drinks. Questions? Contact Jen Crowley at 430-7315.

PINEWOOD DERBY Friday, March 31 - 5:30 pm

The annual Pinewood Derby will be held on Friday, March 31. Weigh-ins and concessions (pizza & drinks) will be from 5:30-6:30. Racing will start promptly at 6:30. Prizes will be awarded. All children through age 17 are welcome to enter! You can purchase your cars ($6) from the pinewood derby table (located outside the school office) or on the back table of church. In the interest of fairness, you must purchase your car kit from St. Paul’s and you must follow the directions so that your car meets the qualifications. See you at the races!

CONGREGATIONAL BOWLING Sunday, February 26 - 1:30

A congregational bowling outing has been scheduled for February 26 at Robbinsdale Lanes (805 E. St. Patrick). Bowling will begin at 1:30. Cost is $2.75 per game, and there is no charge for shoe rental. Please sign the sheet on the table in the back of church if you intend to go, and indicate the number of people who will be bowling. We need to reserve the lanes a week in advance.

SODAK

March 8 & 17 Lenten Meal: We will be serving the Lenten Meal on March 8. We are serving tacos. We will help, starting at 4:00, to prepare the meal and serve the meal. After the Worship Service, we will finish cleaning and then play an Instagram Challenge. Gym Games: On Friday, March 17, we will be getting together with the Young Adults (20 somethings) to challenge them to some gym games. It’s time SODAK represents!

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER MEETING Tuesday, March 7 - 7:00 pm The Sunday School Teachers will gather on Tuesday, March 7, at 7:00, to discuss further how to step forward with confidence as we teach the precious souls in our care. All teachers are encouraged to attend to share and learn effective teaching methods within the classroom.

GREETER MEETING Tuesday, March 14 - 7:00 pm On Tuesday, March 14, at 7:00, all current greeters, or anyone interested in greeting, are invited to attend this informational meeting, to go over the basics of greeting.

GAMES CLUB

Friday, March 17 - 7:00 The Games Club will meet March 17, at 7:00, in the conference room. We will be playing Bingo. Please bring your own drinks and, if you wish, a snack to share. All adults are welcome!

PANTHER CAMP June 4 to June 9

All young people in our congregation who are going to be in grades 6 thru 9 in the next school year are invited to attend Panther Camp at Great Plains Area Lutheran High School in Watertown, SD. The following will be offered at the camp: art, football, sewing/crocheting, Spanish, volleyball, band, boys’ and girls’ basketball, drama, cooking, and soccer. Cost for the camp is $100. A non-refundable registration fee of $10 is required by May 1, and the balance of $90 is required by June 1. Panther Camp will run from June 4 to June 9. Registration forms are on the back table.

CAMP LUTHER July 16 to July 21

Camp Luther (Sibley State Park, New London, MN) is a one-week Bible Camp for children who are entering grades 5 thru 9 next school year. Camp Luther offers Bible studies, swimming in the lake, games, recreation, crafts, and campfires. It is a week of Christian friendship, learning, and fun! The cost is $130 for the week. The registration deadline is June 15. Registration forms are on the back table.

EVANGELISM COMMITTEE

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

The Evangelism Committee Needs You! The Evangelism Committee is in need of members. If you are willing to help, please contact Pastor Berg, Pastor Hussman, or David Hammerquist. Currently, we are looking for people to oversee the Greeter Program, Publicity of Events and the Church, and Evangelism efforts.

Let’s assume all of us have a counterfeit God. There is someone or something which rivals God in our hearts. The question is...what do we do with them? Come and learn how we might deal with rivals to God. Come and also enjoy coffee and donuts provided through a freewill donation. All men are invited to join us on Saturday, March 11, at 7:30.

Members Needed

Saturday, March 11 - 7:30 am

WORK DAY IN THE GYM Saturday, March 11 - 8:30 am

On Saturday, March 11, starting at 8:30 am, we will be cleaning out storage and painting walls in the gym. Come to Men's Bible study at 7:30 am, and stay for a while to help prep the gym. It would be great for our members to offer a couple hours of their time to this special project.

REVIEWING YOUR ESTATE PLAN Once a person signs a will and tucks it away for safekeeping, the old saying comes to life: “Out of sight; out of mind.” On the one hand, it is good to be relieved of the worry of intestacy (dying without a will). On the other hand, things change and a will that becomes outdated can cause problems. That is why it is a good idea to review your will every few years, particularly when there have been changes that may affect your plans. It just takes a few moments, but the practice can spare your loved ones some heartaches down the road and ensure that your Christian stewardship goals are properly carried out. (One tip: If it’s inconvenient to access the original will, make a copy to keep handy for easy reference.) One reason for reviewing your will is change in the status of your dependents. Has God blessed your family with a new child? Or, if you no longer have dependent children, you may want to revise any custodial trusts created by the will. Has there been a death in the family? A redistribution of assets may be in order. Does an adult child need more assistance than your other children? Again, a revised will might be in order. Another reason to review is if there have been changes to the tax laws. Changes in your finances, health, or family are important considerations. Charitable giving priorities may also change. If your children are doing well on their own, you may want to increase your bequest to your favorite charities. You can double-check that your arrangement utilizes your assets in a way that is most advantageous for your family and for charity. Wills and other estate planning documents are only as good as the degree they reflect your current needs and priorities. It’s also important to make sure they coordinate with beneficiary designations and payable/ transfer on death statements, and that they testify to your faith in Jesus our Lord. So take the time to read them over occasionally. Talk about these things with your family. Give yourself the satisfaction of knowing that your house is in order. Whether or not you choose to include a bequest for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in your will, we are eager to see you complete or update your plans for the sake of your loved ones and for your own peace of mind. To request a copy of “Estate Planning for the Christian Steward” or to be connected with a WELS Christian Giving Counselor, please contact Pastor Free, Pastor Berg, or Pastor Hussman at 3428804, or Planned Giving Committee members Jackson Anderson 431-4188, Nikolas Boyce 507-766-2722, Jennifer Konvalin 388-5352, or Denise Smith 341-2502.

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 COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance Fund balances are: Church Savings and Checking - $34,193; Special Projects - $15,864; Designated Purpose - $12,809; Worker Education Training Fund - $43,821; School Checking and Savings - $45,880.

Education An inspection of the building for our license renewal is pending. Staffing for our summer program is in place. The school calendar for 2017-18 has been approved. The state is adopting new certification rules that will impact our school. Maryanne Rohrer will serve as the school librarian next year.

Pastors’ Report 77 visits were made in January. Average attendance in January was 366 (400 in 2016). Six prospects are attending our Bible Information Class. Twelve couples are attending our Marriage Enrichment Class. Synod-wide congregation mission offerings are up 21% for January.

Outreach Our prospect list has 37 names. Pajama Jam! is still a popular event. Thirteen people attended the Friendship Evangelism Seminar that was held on January 28. Elders The committee is looking into more varieties of worship. A Lent by Candlelight evening will be held on April 9. Planned Giving The committee procedure manual is being reviewed. Planning Work continues on the operational manual. Discussion continues on enhancing our youth program.

OUR STEWARDSHIP Received

Difference

Jan 28 - Feb 3

$17,094.37

14,843.20

-2,251.17

Feb 4 - Feb 10

$17,094.37

17,318.31

223.94

Feb 11 - 17

$17,094.37

22,566.76

5,472.39

YTD 16/17

$581,208.58

609,900.96

28,692.38

DEBT FREE IN THREE Thank you for your generous support of our Debt Free in Three offering. In January 2017, we received $3,765 for this offering. Our new loan total is $1,173,587. With continued money received for extra principle payment, we could pay off this loan in nine years.

Plans for the 75th Anniversary of our congregation were presented. NEW BUSINESS Approval was given for the youth from Christ Lutheran Church in Hugo, MN, to spend the night in our facility on June 26. Plans are to paint the gym walls in March and begin installing the wood floor in April.

ATTENDANCE

Budgeted Weekly Needs (from all sources) Needed

OLD BUSINESS

Jan. 29 Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Sunday Avg.

398 394 452 415

(44% of membership) (44% of membership) (50% of membership) (46% of membership)

CHURCH LIBRARY BOOK "What's Going on Among the Lutherans" by Leppien and Smith explains the differences among North American Lutheran church bodies. It shows what 'distinguishes historic, orthodox Lutheranism from liberal Lutheranism'. In addition, chapters include history of Lutherans in America, how other church bodies approach scripture as well as related topics.