as they mourn the death of Eric's father

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Sunday, October 19, will be Pastor Ulmanis' last Sunday worship.  Please join us for the service followed by a potluck in his honor at 11:45 after the Sunday school hour.  Ham, salad and dessert will be provided.  Bring a dish that serves eight to ten people.  Please come and honor him for the wonderful job he has done this past year.  If you wish to help, contact Cheryl Cusmano, Shelley Reisen or Susan Kvale.

Our next Bingo Party at Gateshead Crossing Senior Living Community is October 24, at 12:45. If you can help with this event, please contact Margy Huizinga. A basket for Bingo prizes is in the Harms Fireside Room. Postage stamps are always appreciated!

This year's Advent Workshop is scheduled for Sunday, November 23.  If you have any ideas for crafts or questions, please contact Steve Gillespie at 313.885.2537.

WELCA Annual Meeting/Deep Cleaning of Harms' Fireside Room/Potluck Lunch is Saturday, November 15, at 9:00 Bethany Room.

The High School students will sponsor a Fall Bake Sale on Sunday,  Nov. 2nd after the service.  It will be set up for individual item selection with donations to Transition to Independence (TIP) Programs.  We are creating Care Packages for students who have aged out of foster care and are attending Wayne State University.   If you would like to donate items for the Care Packages or make one to send the content list and example Care Package are in the foyer.

Also during the months of  October and November please bring any gently used coats that your family has outgrown or no longer needs.  A bin for the Coat Drive will be in the foyer and donated coats will go to Cass Community Services and  Freedom House.   Coat collection will occur through Nov. 23rd.

St. Paul's "God's Work. Our Hands" t-shirts are still available - all proceeds are going to Grace in Action's enterprising youth business "Stitching Up Detroit".  We would like to support their efforts - so ask a High School student to sell you a shirt or contact Mary Weiland at mary@weilandfamily.com or 313-885-6326.

Donations are now being accepted for the Non-Food Pantry as the High School students begin to restock and prepare for our first donation to Freedom House in October.  A list of personal care, cleaning supplies and paper products is available in the foyer near the collection bin.  There is also a pre-printed receipt for your donation and records.  We are also happy to accept any coupons that you have clipped for the items that we can send out with our student shoppers!  Thank you for your continued support of this ministry!

TIP Care Package Contents:

o    Note of encouragement
o    Laundry basket
o    Towel
o    Washcloths (2)
o    Soap (4 bars)
o    Toothbrush
o    Toothpaste
o    Shaving cream
o    Razors
o    Shampoo/Conditioner
o    Pocket tissues (4 packs)
o    Feminine hygiene products
o    Deodorant
o    Toilet tissue
o    Socks (2 pair)
o    Boxer briefs
o    Non-perishable snacks
o    School supplies
o    Pencil holder
o    Mesh laundry bag
o    Laundry detergent
o    WSU Item
o    Gift Card
o    Devotional book
o    Deck of cards
o    One extra Item
o    flip flops

In the month of October, we lift in prayer LSSM's Refugee Services and Freedom House Detroit.  Please keep the staff and all of the refugee families and those seeking asylum in your prayers.

Refugees are people of all ages who are forced from their own countries by war or political unrest and who cannot return for fear of persecution because of their race, ethnicity, religion or political affiliations. Many spend years in refugee camps before they are given permission to enter the United States. They arrive with little more than the clothes they are wearing.  

Refugees come here seeking protection and a chance to build a new life. They are eager to learn, to work and to become productive contributors to society. As they become settled, they build businesses, create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, fuel the economy and strengthen the tax base, enriching their communities.

Lutheran Social Services of Michigan has been the Michigan affiliate of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service since the 1950s. In 2002, Lutheran Social Services became the Michigan affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries as well. As the largest refugee resettlement agency in the state, Lutheran Social Services has resettled thousands of people from dozens of countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central and South America.

We can continue to support their efforts through prayer and donations.  See Wish List below and LSSM will arrange a pickup of your items.

New pillows
Kitchen supplies such as pots, pans, tea kettles, coffee makers, flatware
Dishes
Glassware
New sheets or blankets
Towels, dish towels
Curtains
New mattresses
Gift cards to Kroger, Meijer
Cash Donations


Lord Jesus, when you multiplied the loaves and fishes, you provided more than food for the body, you offered us the gift of yourself, the gift which satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt, but you poured out your love and compassion on the migrant crowd, welcoming them as brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God's family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Like your disciples, we too are filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build barriers in our hearts and in our minds.

To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace each   
of  your children as our own brother and sister;
To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs;
To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice;
To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us;
To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.

We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of the one Most Holy Trinity in whom we make our prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. 

The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. It's what they do in Matthew's gospel, and though they never quite accomplish it, they never give up, either. Their behavior reminds me of the Coyote (Wile E.) in the "Roadrunner" cartoons of my youth.
They were hoping that by asking Jesus this particular question, he would either say a) "Of course we should all pay taxes," and make himself into a tool of the oppressive Roman state; or b) "No, we should never pay taxes," and mark himself a dangerous revolutionary, requiring immediate capture and execution. It's a pretty good effort on their part, and you have to think there were a bunch of them ready to seize on whatever answer he gave as proof he was up to no good.
Of course, Jesus takes a third path, and his answer: "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's," exposes the Pharisees' intentions. They didn't really want an answer; they simply wanted Jesus to mess up. In a similar situation the lawyer knew enough to ask a follow up question: "But who is my neighbor?" Here, the Pharisees are amazed, and walk away in silence.
I would not suggest for a moment that we understand ourselves in the role of modern day Pharisees. I would suggest, however, that when we ask questions of Jesus, we should be prepared for an answer that may be different than what we expect to hear.
 1)  What questions are you asking Jesus?
 2)  When have you heard Jesus answer?