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Get ready for an exciting celebration of Jesus’ love filled with amazing Bible adventures, unforgettable songs, memory-making crafts, and life-changing missions.  Welcome to Avalanche Ranch, a wild ride through God’s word!  Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July 16th – 20th 6:00 – 8:45 p.m.  Click on the Avalanche Ranch button to the left to register to participate or volunteer.

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

March 18, 2007

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, Pastor 

Mr. Douglas Grebasch, Principal

 

CALENDAR

 

 

 

EVENTS THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL,  April 8 - 15, 2007

TODAY:

7:00 AM

Sunrise Service in the Chapel

 

9:00 AM

Easter Sunday Worship Service (HC)

 

 

Servicio de Adoración del Domingo de Resurrección (SC)

Easter Breakfast Serving Times:  From 7:30 to 9:00 AM and  from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

 

10:30 AM

Sunday School / Christian Growth Hour

TUESDAY:

7:30 PM

Praise Team

WEDNESDAY:

7:00 PM

Ed / Stewardship

THURSDAY:

7:00

Choir Rehearsal

SATURDAY:

5:30 PM

Contemporary Service (HC) 

SUNDAY:

9:00 AM

Worship Service   (HC)

 

 

Servicio de Adoración

 

10:15 AM

Coffee Hour 

 

10:30 AM

Sunday School / Christian Growth Hour

 

 

STEWARDSHIP CORNER.   Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).  Unfortunately, many people seem to transpose this verse as they first seek worldly things with the hope that God’s blessings will still be there.  Are you more focused on your lifestyle, what you drive, or what you wear than with seeking God? God’s promise to those who seek Him is that He will provide for them and bless them.  Do you trust in his promise?

 

EXODUS WORLD SERVICE.  A Christian refugee assistance ministry invites adults to attend a Celebration of Hope, the annual dinner to be held on Friday, April 20, at the Stonegate Conference Centre, located at 2401 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates.  The reception begins at 6:30 PM and the dinner at 7:15. The keynote address will be presented by Dr. Martin Marty, a world-renowned speaker, columnist, pastor, and teacher.  The dinner is complimentary.  An opportunity will be provided to mark a gift to support the ministry.  If you would like to sit at our table, please contact Angela Zabransky.

 

BREAD OF LIFE welcomes you and your family to the Tuesday night Prayer and Praise gatherings which begin with a dinner at 6:00 PM in the cafeteria, followed by the Prayer & Praise Worship at 7:00, in the sanctuary.  Children are welcome!  There are activities for all ages. For more information please call Mary Elizabeth G.

 

 

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:

 

Lydia G.

Shirley L.

(L. Langley’s Mother-in-law)

Rosalie H. (Lynette W.’s Grand-Mother)

 

 

 

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  April 7th  - 13th

 

7:

Norman Z.

9:

Gerhard S., Therman B. III.

10:

Keairra H.

12:

Betty Ruth B., Mary M.

 

 

 

 

The Memorial Service for Marie Lehning will take place on Saturday, April 21, at 2:00 PM, here in our church.  Mildred DiMarzio’s Memorial Service will be at 10:00 AM on the same date.

 

 

FROM PASTOR JOHNSON.  “If you are in the hospital or are in need of pastoral care, please notify Maria in the church office.  If it is an emergency, please call my mobile phone (in printed copy of chimes).  Please don’t hesitate to call me at any hour if it is important; I keep the phone with me at all times.  If the matter is important enough to think about calling a pastor, by all means call me.  Please do not think you will disturb me or I will think the matter unimportant.  Thanks!”

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS  to the young children who received Holy communion for the first time during our

past Maundy Thursday service.  They were:  Admaryz A., Nicholas C., Mariah E., Kennedy J., Miriam K., Jose L., Robert M., Kameron T., Jonathan W.

 

BANNERS.  Galatians 5:22 “Gifts of the Spirit”.  The banners were designated to help us remember and celebrate the gifts of the spirit throughout the church year.

 

A BIG THANK YOU to John W., Chris W., Robert W., Don V., and Dan L. for their many, many hours of labors in stripping, sealing and waxing the terrazzo in the church.  Job Well Done!

 

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY. Shawls can be used as a means to bring God’s love, comfort and peace to those in need.  If anybody would like to spend spare time making a (or some) shawl please contact Carla Schoepp at 708/345-7730.  these shawls may be crocheted or knitted.  Carla has patterns and if you don’t have yarn available please let her know when you call her.  Our parish nurse, Mrs. Groll, will give these shawls to someone who is sick, or who is hurting, or perhaps a new mother, or someone who she knows would feel comforted by a gift made with prayer and concern for fellow parishioners.

 

EXODUS WORLD SERVICE.  A Christian refugee assistance ministry invites adults to attend a Celebration of Hope, the annual dinner to be held on Friday, April 20, at the Stonegate Conference Centre, located at 2401 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates.  The reception begins at 6:30 PM and the dinner at 7:15. The keynote address will be presented by Dr. Martin Marty, a world-renowned speaker, columnist, pastor, and

teacher.  The dinner is complimentary.  An opportunity will be provided to mark a gift to support the ministry.

If you would like to sit at our table, please contact Angela Zabransky,.

 

YOUTH NEWS.  A Movie Night for this group is scheduled for April 21.  It will begin right after the Saturday worship service (and will end around 10:00 PM).  Grades 6-12 are welcome.  Boys: bring the popcorn, Girls: bring the soft drinks.  Dee will bring the movies.

CARE CORPS/PROVISO PANTRY.  Our fourth annual Bathroom Tissue Drive will be held within the next month for the Proviso Pantry.  The collection will take place on April 21-22 and April 28-29.  Start to look for those sales now!

 

 

SAVE THE DATE!! Get ready for an exciting celebration of Jesus’ love filled with amazing Bible adventures, unforgettable songs, memory-making crafts, and life-changing missions.  Welcome to Avalanche Ranch, a wild ride through God’s word!  Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July 16th – 20th in the evenings.  Our goal is to serve 100 children this year!  Go to www.stpaulmp.org/VBS  for more information and to register to volunteer on line.  Contact Lynette Welter for more information.

 

On Sunday, May 6, Paul S. will join more than 16,000 walkers and volunteers across Illinois in the 2007 MS Walk. He'll be showing his support by fund raising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the 20,000 Illinois families touched by multiple sclerosis. The money raised at the 2007 MS Walk supports programs, services and vital research into the cause and cure of multiple sclerosis. He's accepted the challenge to raise funds for these programs. Your support will help him reach that goal, which in turn will make a difference in the lives of 400,000 Americans living with multiple sclerosis. He hopes you will join him either by walking along side him or making a donation to this goal to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.  Speak to Paul about how you can give your support or visit:  www.msillinois.org and follow the links for MS Walk 05/06/07 to search for Paul's name.  Thank you and bless you.

 

 

 

Starting immediately, and for security reasons, we’ll be requiring that EVERYBODY entering the school and/or the church building sign in the visitors log sheet located at the school entrance, and also wear a visitor’s pass.  Please do not be offended, we might know very well who you are, but this is necessary for everyone’s protection.

 

 

 

ST. PAUL SCHOOL NEWS this week

Click here for school newsletter page

 

THE LORD HAS RISEN!!

 

WHAT IS…A BOX WITHOUT…hinges, key or lid, yet inside golden treasure is hid?  The answer is…an egg.  This past week in chapel Doug Grebasch brought a dozen eggs.  One contained silver coins…the second a pair of praying hands, another contained a miniature crown of thorns…yet another contained a sharp, pointed nail.  As each egg was opened, the dramatic events of Holy Week came alive for the children.  The final egg, the most important egg, was empty.  This empty egg stood for the empty tomb.  It symbolized the resurrection of our Lord.  For without the resurrection all the events of Holy Week would be meaningless.  The empty tomb guaranteed that our sins were nailed to the cross and our debt was paid by our risen Lord.  Thank God for the empty tomb…thank God for heaven.  The next children’s chapel service will be held on Wednesday, April 18th. The guest speaker will be our very own Chuck Laabs.

 

ST. PAUL HAS RECEIVED... a substantial number of applications from families with children at St. John – Forest Park, families from other nonpublic and public schools in the area, and from families new to the community.  As a result, if you are aware of individuals considering having their child(ren) attend St. Paul Lutheran School for the next school year, it is imperative that they call the school office and establish an appointment ASAP.

  

MARCH MADNESS IN MELROSE PARK…This past weekend, the 7th & 8th grade boys’ basketball team coached by Chuck Haak, participated in the Melrose Park March Madness Tournament.  In the opening game, St. Paul went up against Stevenson Elementary.  Your Crusaders took command from the opening quarter and never looked back.  Chalk up a 39 to 32 victory.  In their second contest, your Crusaders faced Melrose Park Elementary School.  The big man in the middle for Melrose Park was the deciding factor.  When the final quarter ended, Melrose Park found themselves walking off the court with a victory.  In the third contest, St. Paul squared off against Jane Addams Elementary School.  By the close of the first half, St. Paul led by 16 points.  When the final buzzer sounded, your Crusaders had earned an 11-point victory.  In the final game, St. Paul went up against Sacred Heart.  Despite a solid effort, the lack of substitutes was a definite disadvantage for your Crusaders.  Unable to go to the bench and rest players, St. Paul found themselves trailing by 13 points at the half.  Although your Crusaders managed to cut into their opponent’s lead, when the game ended Sacred Heart held on to the victory.  In overall tournament standings, St. Paul finished in 3rd place.  GREAT GOING, CRUSADERS!!!

 

CRUSADERS ON THE HILLSIDE…This past Monday, the 5th & 6th boys’ basketball team went up against Immanuel – Hillside.  Despite the long layoff for Lutheran Schools’ Week and achievement testing, your Crusaders were up to the task.  The boys opened up a 10 point first quarter lead and never looked back.  Hillside’s man-to-man defensive couldn’t stop the quick drives to the basket.  Solid work on the boards gave St. Paul opportunities to score on the inside.  Coach Hemmann made whole squad substitutions and all the members of the team received substantial playing time in earning this victory.

 

THANK YOU!!! WOW!!!  It was a record-breaking Candy Sale.  Thanks to all sellers and buyers, especially Kameron T. and Amanda D. who each sold 200+ items.  Thanks to delivery/pickup helpers: Jane P., Dan L., Doug G., Florence D., Helen D., Ruth B., Jan M., Barb S., Dorleen M., Carla S., Sarah G., Mary O., and Paula T.

 

WITH SPRING JUST…around the corner, perhaps it is time to “fire up” the grill and do a little “smoking.”  Market Day has the answers to your BBQ questions…Baby Back Ribs marinated with your favorite sauce…Ranch Steaks cooked just the way you like them…1/3 Pound Steakpatties seasoned with A.1 Steak Sauce.  Now doesn’t that sound simply delicious.  Of course, you will find favorites ready to order… ChicNsteakes, BBQ Pork, Garlic & Herb Shrimp…the list goes on and on.  This month features Spring Bonus Days desserts…Why not try an Apple Deep Dish Pie, Lemon Meringue Layer Pie, Key West Lime Pie, or the new Boston Cream Pie?  Orders are due on Thursday, April 12th.  Delivery is set for Thursday afternoon, April 19th, from 3:00 – 4:00.  Give your taste buds a treat....order today!!!

 

NOW IS THE TIME…to place your Easter order from MANNA.  A MANNA gift card will fit neatly in an Easter card or an Easter Basket.  Manna provides you with the opportunity to assist your school through everyday purchases (i.e. gas, groceries, and household essentials).  MANNA certificates are just like cash…there are no processing fees involved.  (At Kohls, you can even pay off your existing credit card bill.)  Orders placed on Monday may be picked up each Thursday.  It doesn’t get any easier than that.  Pick up an order form from the box located in the hallway leading from the church to the cafeteria or in the church narthex…place your order…and drop the form in the slot in the school office door.

 

 

 

 

APRIL 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.

 

PASTOR JOHNSON’S APRIL LETTER:

What’s the Big Attraction?

 

Isaiah 53 is a passage of Scripture often read and quoted during Lent, for it is the prophecy of our Lord’s suffering on our behalf.  Here are some of the descriptions of  Jesus:

               “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him . . .

               “He was despised and rejected by man . . .

               “. . . we esteemed Him not.”

 

               Yet we know that Jesus attracted many followers:

               “Large crowds . . . followed Him” (Matthew 4:25; 8:1).

               “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick . . .Then He gave [the loaves] to the . . . people . . .The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children” (Matthew 14:14-21).

It depends upon what people find attractive, doesn’t it?  Those with a worldly view see a broken, bleeding, defeated man carrying a cross.  Those who have come to know the real Jesus see one who carries their burdens, heals their diseases, forgives their sins, and gives them food to eat – both for the body and for the spirit. 

 

This is the Jesus of Easter.  With nails and side and feet still bearing the scars of His humiliation and death, He shows Himself the risen, triumphant Savior.  It is He believers have been following for centuries.  It is for Him that millions have been willing to give their Earthly lives, knowing that a better place is prepared for them in Heaven.