On this page:  Calendar, Prayers, Announcements, St. Paul School News, Stewardship

 

 

Of all the gifts for which we thank God, above all is the gift of Himself to us, His erring but redeemed children!  “Whom have I in Heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25).

 

 

Our purpose is to reach out to families and individuals of all backgrounds and bring them into healing and transforming relationships with the Lord Jesus and with others in His Church through the sharing of God’s Word and Sacraments.

 

 

 
THE CHIMES

November 19, 2006

Listen to Sermon Here

St. Paul Lutheran Church and School

a multiethnic family of faith

1025 Lake Street * Melrose Park, IL  60160

Church Ph. No. 708-343-1000 *

School Ph. No. 708-343-5000

Fax No. 708-343-8635 www.stpaulmp.org

 

Rev. Thomas R. Johnson, Senior Pastor 

Mr. Douglas Grebasch, Principal

 

CALENDAR

 

 

 

EVENTS THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL,   November 19 - 26, 2006

TODAY:

9:00 AM

Worship Service (HC)

 

 

Servicio de Adoración (SC)

 

 

Coffee Hour

 

 

Voters’ Meeting

 

10:30 AM

Sunday School / Christian Growth Hour

TUESDAY:

10:00 AM

Weekday Bible Study

 

7:30 PM

Praise Team

WEDNESDAY:

7:00 PM

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service  (HC)

 

 

Servicio de la Vispera del Día de Acción de Gracias (SC)

THURSDAY:

10:00 AM

Thanksgiving Day Worship Service (HC)

SATURDAY:

5:30 PM

Contemporary Service (NHC) 

SUNDAY:

9:00 AM

Worship Service (HC)  

 

 

Servicio de Adoración (NSC)

 

10:15 AM

Coffee Hour 

 

10:30 AM

Sunday School / Christian Growth Hour

 

* A door offering on behalf of World Relief will be taken after the Thanksgiving Day Service *

 

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP SERVICES:

 

            Wed.  Nov. 22,  Thanksgiving Eve:        7:15 PM   (HC)                     

                                      Servicio de Acción de Gracias  7:00 PM (SC)

            Thurs. Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day:      10:00 AM  (HC)

 

Midweek Advent Services:  Wed.  Nov. 29,   Wed. Dec. 6,   Wed. Dec. 13

Theme: “Mission in the Last Days:  God’s Plan for a Multiplying Church through the Power of the Holy Spirit”

 

Wednesday, Dec. 20: Children Christmas Service.

 

Notes:  A hymn sing will precede our mid-week Advent Services beginning at 7:00 PM.

            Soup Suppers to be served before Advent Services on Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13.

 

Remember to send your Christmas Greetings to all your St. Paul friends via The Newsletter.  Your donation in lieu of postage will help defray other church non-budgeted expenses.  The Newsletter Christmas edition will be mailed on December 14.

 

 

Please include the following prayer needs in your personal and family devotions this week.   

 

ü             We pray for those in care facilities and at home who are physically unable to worship with us.  We also ask God to heal and comfort the following members and/or friends of our congregation:

 

Carl D.

Evelyn V.

Lydia G.

Emily B.

Regina C.

 

 

 

We also want to continue to remember those in nursing facilities, those who are recovering, and those who are receiving ongoing treatments.

 

*(If you would like us to pray for someone, please let Maria, our church secretary; know, either by phone or with a request card.  Names of congregational members will remain on this list for 4 weeks unless additional requests are received.)

 

ü          We pray for those celebrating birthdays the week of  November 18th – 24th

 

18:

Margot G., Debra S.

19:

Flossie M., Warren W., Vada J.

20:

Jacie A.

21:

Laura L., Mark M., Marcus C., Ashleight F., Deja J.

22:

Karl F., Alex G., Jacquette J.

24:

Eugene S., Jonathan G., David Z., Kevin W.

 

 

ü          For these coming days when we celebrate Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas be joyful days for all Christians, and may this joyful spirit be a contagious feeling of having Christ as our Savior.

 

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On Sunday, December 3, we will welcome the new members in our congregation.

A reception will follow at coffee hour.

 

The DRAMA MINISTRY TEAM needs You!  We are looking for 4 members who will be attending the Thanksgiving Eve service and 4 members who are attending the Thanksgiving Day service to perform a simple reader’s theater sketch.  No memorization is required.  Rehearsal will be after TODAY’S Sunday service.  Meet with Lynette W. in the Sanctuary at 10:30 if you are interested.

 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL.  The story of Jacob and Esau that our children will study in Sunday School today (Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-40) is a story of competition and bad feelings between brothers, parental favoritism, and family squabbling.  These are sins that afflict every family.  Amidst this chaos, God acted with grace toward all of them-and to us.  God continued to prepare to keep His promise of giving a Savior for all people.  In your devotion time this week, review this story and the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed and its explanation; especially note God’s love that He gives “only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me” so you may Grow in Christ.

 

THE CARE CORPS is again requesting your help with the provision of home-baked cookies which will be included in the December Gift Bags for our Shut-ins.  This gift is really appreciated by our members who cannot get to church – or out of the house very often. 

Please bring your contribution of cookies to the school lunchroom before December 8. At this time they will be prepared for distribution.  We also solicit your volunteering to deliver these bags.  The distribution date is set for Sunday, December 10.

ALSO wanted are cookies for the annual Sing-Along on Sunday, Dec. 17.  Mark your contribution for either event, if you choose.

 

Caroling at Westlake Hospital, Dec. 3, during the Adult Education Hour after church.  Meet in the

cafeteria at 10:30 (after coffee hour.)

 

Thanksgiving Services

 

Thanksgiving Eve:

Wednesday, November 22:                    7:00 PM  Holy Communion

 

Thanksgiving Day:

                               Thrusday, November 23:                 10:00 AM  Holy Communion

 

 

ST. PAUL SCHOOL NEWS this week

Click here for school newsletter page

IMAGINE…a ship, the size of your house, stranded on a four-lane highway, five miles from the shore.  Picture a sprawling city, the home to thousands of people, laid flat in just six minutes, with  homes washed away, schools and businesses destroyed, lives lost, and the future of millions of people drastically altered…these were the results of the six-story wave, caused by the 4th largest earthquake in recorded history.  Through a Power Point presentation, Dr. Jonathan Laabs showed photos of destruction to the children in chapel this past week.  However, the presentation didn’t end with photos of the devastation in Indonesia.  It concluded with photos of hands…hands helping to repair the destruction…hands assisting to meet the needs of tens of thousands of people without homes or even common necessities…hands reaching out with the Gospel, with the joy and hope of the new life found only in Jesus.  This week’s chapel speaker will be our very own Pastor Johnson.

 

PRACTICE PAYS OFF…This past week, the girls’ basketball team, coached by Kristin Ulrich, traveled to Zion – Hinsdale for their league opener.  Your Lady Crusaders jumped off to an early lead and never looked back.  With strength on the defensive boards, St. Paul filled the passing lanes and effectively executed the fast break for the easy layup.  When the final buzzer sounded, the Crusaders walked off the court with a 24 to 14 victory.

 

SPEAKING OF BASKETBALL…This weekend, the girls’ basketball team is participating in Walther’s annual invitational tournament.  The 7th & 8th grade boys’ basketball team is playing in the St. Philip (Chicago) Holiday Tournament.  Look for play-by-play results in next week’s edition of the Crusaders’ Adventures.

 

WITH THE HOLIDAYS JUST AROUND THE CORNER…now is the time to plan that very special holiday dinner.  What to serve?...Market Day has the answer.  This month features so many family favorites.  For an appetizer, how about: Jumbo Party Shrimp, Italian Style Meatballs, or Pesto Bruschetta?  For an entrée, how about: Prime Rib Roast, Spiral Sliced Ham, or a Crown Pork Roast?  For a dessert, how about Candy Cane Pie, Caramel Apple Blossoms, Holiday Cookie Shapes, or French Silk Pie?  Don’t forget to check out your everyday favorites: Ranch Steaks, ChicNSteakes, and whatever makes your taste buds water.  Don’t forget…you will receive FREE a box of Fannie May Chocolates for any purchase over $50.00. Look for order forms in the narthex and in the box between the church and the cafeteria.  Orders are due by Monday, November 27th.  Market Day pickup is set for Thursday, December 7th, from 3:00 – 4:00 in the cafeteria.

 

IF YOU DIDN’T TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY…to place a nut order… some extra nuts were ordered and may be purchased from the school office.  Please see Gail or Doug Grebasch after the 9:00 worship service regarding the purchase of extra nuts.  Prices are as follows:  Chocolate-Covered Raisins - $5.00, Giant Cashews - $7.00, Pistachios - $6.00, Giant Pecan Halves - $7.00, Honey-Roasted Peanuts - $4.00, Country Western Mix - $5.00, Chocolate-Covered Pretzels - $4.00, and Chocolate Amaretto Pecans - $7.00.  Please be reminded, nut order monies are due by Monday, Nov. 20th.  (Checks should be made payable to St. Paul Lutheran School.)

 

HAVE YOU MADE OUT YOUR…Christmas list yet?  What do we get for the children, for Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, let alone all the nephews, nieces, aunts or uncles?  Regardless of the answer to “what”, use gift certificates from Manna to make the purchases and reduce your tuition or contribute to the Rose Backhaus Fund to help school families having financial difficulties.   If you’re not sure of “what” to get a family member or friend…give them a gift certificate…you can’t go wrong with that.  If you plan on treating yourself at Christmas time to something special…like a new LCD T.V…why not purchase it through a Manna gift certificate?  The gift cards are just like cash.  Check out the list: Circuit City, Best Buy, Kohls, Borders, and so many other stores are available to you.  The Manna Program is here for YOU!  Why not take advantage of it, TODAY!  Start your Christmas shopping early.  Questions about the program?  Contact Mrs. Koehne.  To purchase in-stock certificates, please see Gail Grebasch after the 9:00 service.  (Note:  The last Manna order before Christmas will be on Dec. 18th, with delivery on Dec. 20th.) 

 

MOST OF US…will be sitting down this Thursday with family and friends to enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberries, and all the other trimmings.  Yet, our celebration of Thanksgiving should go far beyond just an elaborate dinner and pleasant conversation.  We need to take time to remember and thank the Giver of all good gifts.  Our heavenly Father has given us the warmth of a home filled with love.  He has filled our lives with the bounty of this land, the freedom to enjoy His many blessings, and most importantly – Our Savior.  May our celebration of Thanksgiving focus on the joy of giving thanks to a gracious and lovining

 

 

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER ITEMS:

As the Newsletter is very cumbersome to duplicate online, a few important items from the most recent issue are included here.  We will endeavor to keep them up to date.

 

“HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD

(“Red” Envelope)

--VS--

“CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT”

(“Blue” Envelope)

 

It is important for members to understand that the above 2-envelopes are “DIFFERENT” and the purpose for the 2-envelopes is “DIFFERENT”.

 

The “HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD” (“Red” envelope) is for our current “SPECIAL DRIVE” with a goal of $30,000 to be received by Thanksgiving.  These monies are needed to pay the balance of the invoices for the major “BUILDING REPAIRS” (Total $60,000) approved at the Voters’ Meeting on 09/10/2006.  Your donations to this “SPECIAL DRIVE”, over and above your regular contributions, are needed to reach the ‘GOAL” .  As of 11/05/2006, we have received **$21,938**-------**$8,062** SHORT OF OUR GOAL.

 

The “CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT” (“Blue” envelope) is a “regular monthly” envelope.  These monies are held in a designated account to provide “SEED MONEY” for future major repairs, just as they did this fall.  As there will be numerous additional “BUILDING REPAIRS” in the near future, it is extremely important that the monthly “CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT” envelopes be utilized so that the ‘CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT” designated account is replenished.  The commitment of the members of St. Paul to use both of these envelopes is important. If you have any questions, contact Barbara Karg, Treasurer, or Jane Pluss, Business Manager.

PROVISO PANTRY FOOD DRIVE.    For the past several years, the Care Corps, with the help of other members, have participated in a food drive for the needy in our area at Cub Food Stores in early December.  The food products were contributed to the Proviso Food Pantry, for which we have an ongoing support.

 

This year, due to the closing of the Cub Stores, it is necessary to change the nature of the drive.  On December 2-3, 9-10, the Care Corps will collect food or a monetary contribution for the Pantry.  Tables will be set up in the narthex and in the lunchroom for accepting your gifts.

 

Items which can be used are non-perishable products such as:  Canned Vegetables and Fruits, Tuna, Soup, Packages of Rice, Cereal, Beans, Potato Products, Mac & Cheese, Pasta, Tomato Sauces and Paste.  Please support this effort with your on-going care for the needy in our area!

 

FROM THE CARE CORPS

Time Again for COOKIES

 

The Care Corps is again requesting your help with the provision of home-baked cookies which will be included in the December Gift Bags for our Shut-ins.  The current edition of Portals of Prayer is also sent.

 

Please bring your contribution of cookies to the School lunchroom by Thursday, Dec. 7th             in time for the preparation of these gifts on December 8.  The Care Corps Committee thanks you in advance for this service.