December 5, 2014
Prayers of the People
 

Click here for the Prayers of the People  

          

Happenings
12/5    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM
AA
Sandrock Hall

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Bridge    
Poppen Hall

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Gamblers Anon.    
Bethany Room

12/6
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM
AA    
Sandrock Hall

12/7    
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM    
Worship w/Communion/
Installation of Pastor Justin
Dittrich   
Sanctuary

10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
Sunday School    
Upstairs Classrooms

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM    
Bridge    
Poppen Hall

12/8    
7:00 AM to 8:00 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

5:30 PM to 6:00 PM    
Angelic Choir    
Jr. Choir Room

6:15 PM to 6:45 PM    
Sing and Ring    
Jr. Choir Room

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM    
AA    
Fireside Room

12/9    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM    
Adult Bible Study    
Fireside Room

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
EA    
Upstairs Classrooms

12/10
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
AA    
Sandrock Hall

12/11    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sanctuary

6:30 PM to 7:45 PM
Chancel Bells    
Sanctuary

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
AA    
Sandrock Hall

8:00 PM to 10:00 PM    
Chancel Choir    
Sr. Choir Room

12/12    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM
AA    
Sandrock Hall

Gateshead Holiday Celebration

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM    
Bridge    
Poppen Hall

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Gamblers Anon.    
Bethany Room

12/13
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM
AA    
Sandrock Hall

9:00 AM
Rehearsal for the Children's Program

12/14    
9:30 AM to 11:00 PM    
Worship w/communion Christmas Program   
Sanctuary

10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Cookie Walk    
Fireside Room

10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
Sunday School
Upstairs Classroom

12/15    
7:00 AM to 8:00 AM
AA    
Sandrock Hall

5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Angelic Choir    
Jr. Choir Room

6:15 PM to 6:45 PM    
Sing and Ring    
Jr. Choir Room

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
AA    
Fireside Room

7:00 PM to 8:15 PM    
Catechism    
Bethany Room

12/16    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM    
Adult Bible Study    
Fireside Room

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM    
EA    
Upstairs Classrooms

12/17    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Council Meeting    
Bethany Room

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

12/18    
Epistle Deadline
    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM
AA    
Sanctuary

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM    
Bridge    
Poppen Hall

6:30 PM to 7:45 PM
Chancel Bells    
Sanctuary

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

8:00 PM to 10:00 PM    
Chancel Choir    
Sr. Choir Room

12/19    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM    
Bridge    
Poppen Hall

7:30 PM
Motor City Chorale Concert
Sanctuary

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM    
Gamblers Anon.    
Bethany Room

12/20    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

4:00 PM
Music Recital
Sanctuary

12/21    
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM    
Worship w/Communion    
Sanctuary

10:45 AM to 11:45 AM    
Sunday School    
Upstairs Classrooms

11:30 AM
2015 National Gathering Meeting

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM    
Bridge    
Poppen Hall

12/22    
7:00 AM to 8:00 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM    
AA    
Fireside Room

12/23    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM    
Adult Bible Study    
Fireside Room

9:30 AM
Decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas services

1:00 PM
Staff meeting
Harms Fireside Room

6:30 PM
Chancel Bells

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM    
EA    
Upstairs Classrooms

8:00 PM
Chancel Choir
Sr. Choir Room

12/24
Christmas Eve
   
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

4:00 PM
Worship w/Comm
Sanctuary

7:00 PM
Worship w/Comm
Sanctuary

11:00 PM
Worship/Comm
Sanctuary

12/25
Christmas Day
Church Office Closed
   
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sanctuary

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

12/26
Church Office Closed
    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM    
Bridge    
Poppen Hall

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM    
Gamblers Anon.    
Bethany Room

12/27    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

12/28    
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM    
Worship w/Communion    
Sanctuary

10:45 AM to 11:45 AM    
Sunday School    
Upstairs Classrooms

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM    
Bridge    
Poppen Hall

12/29    
7:00 AM to 8:00 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM    
AA    
Fireside Room

12/30    
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM    
Adult Bible Study    
Fireside Room

1:00 PM
Staff meeting
Harms Fireside Room

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM    
EA    
Upstairs Classrooms

12/31
New Year's Eve
  
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM    
AA    
Sandrock Hall

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Bridge    
Poppen Hall
Quick Links

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St. Paul Happenings
Join Us For Pastor Dittrich'sInstallation
Pastor Justin Dittrich's formal Installation as our Pastor will take place at the 9:30 am Worship Service on December 7.  Southeast Michigan Synod Bishop Donald Kreiss will preach, and Conference Dean Pastor George Oberle will officiate at the Installation. 

Please join us immediately following the service in the Harms Fireside Room for a welcome celebration for Pastor Dittrich, Brenda & Isaac.
Christian Ed
Adult Forum 
Mary Ellen White, Director of Heartline, will present at the Adult Forum on December 21.  Please keep the staff and residents of this branch of LSSM in your prayers this month.

Sunday School 

The children and youth will first practice songs for the Christmas program and then transition to their classrooms. The children will talk about the angel telling Mary about Jesus.   

 

The middle school will discuss Jesus' warning to be watchful.

 

A beloved tradition at St. Paul returns on December 14, at 9:30, as the children and youth of our Sunday School present a Christmas program "My Special Gift" as their gift to the congregation. In preparation, there will be a full program run through on Sunday, December 7, until noon and dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 13, from 9:30-11:30.

Annual Cookie Walk
WELCA Annual Cookie Walk 

December 14
after the Christmas Program

Benefits Pastor's Discretionary Fund.

Need Bakers:May drop off homemade cookie donations to the Bethany Room Kitchen on Friday, December 12 between 9AM and 3 PM or before the service on December 14th.
         
Need Cookie Lovers :to purchase cookies - a box for you and for a friend, family member, or neighbor.

Small Closed Box  is $8.
      Large Closed Box is $10.     

Plan to stay for a few minutes after the Christian Ed Program
to fill a box or two.
The Time Has Come!
The budget process has begun for 2015 and we need to hear from you if you have not yet turned in your pledge for 2015.  Pledging helps  the church create an accurate budget.  Please prayerfully consider your giving level for next year and pledge. There is a box in the foyer in which to place your pledge along with extra pledge slips for your convenience.

Thank you.

Please pledge!

Richard Grenzke

Stewardship Chairman

Congregational Meeting  
for Church Council Elections  
church council There will be a brief Congregational Meeting immediately after wors  hip service on December 21, 2014 for the purpose of holding Church Council elections. We will be electing council members for three-year terms for President, Property Committee Chair, Music Committee Chair, Lay Care Ministry Chair, and Communications Chair. We will also elect an Evangelism Committee Chair to a one-year partial term.

 

Although it is a serious commitment, serving on Congregation Council is a rewarding experience and a great way to serve our Church. Please give this thoughtful consideration. If you are interested in running for one of these positions or any future council position and would like additional information, please contact Tom Archinal via email at vicepresident@stpaulgp.org or by phone at (313) 530-3794.

It's Here!
"Dawn Sentinels", by Bob Guelich

This bronze sculpture is the generous donation of Clara E. Graham in memory of her husband Robert R. Graham who passed away February 4, 2013.  The sculpture is an Artist Proof, Edition 9 of 9, which will be cast in Texas, and installed late fall.  "Dawn Sentinels" depicts two blue herons keeping watch at dawn representing the spirit of awakening and calm protection.  It stands six feet high with a wing span of five feet.  A bronze memorial plaque will be installed along with the sculpture.

The previous eight editions are owned by: Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Texas; Art Investment House, Arizona; City of Dowagiac, Michigan; City of Lee's Summit, Missouri; The Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Botanical Center, Nebraska; and Private Collectors in Idaho, California, and Texas.

Clara Graham and members of her family, along with members of the congregation, visited the installation in Dowagiac, Michigan to determine the sculpture's suitability for our columbarium.  This donation was approved and accepted by the Church Council and Executive Committee at their June 18, 2014 meeting.

The original master plan for the Memorial/Garden Columbarium, developed by Harley Ellington Pierce Yee Associates, Inc., included a sculpture in the center of the columbarium as shown, a design in keeping with that of other churches in the area.




.
God's Work, Our Hands
Gateshead Holiday Celebration
St. Paul will be hosting a Holiday Celebration at Gateshead Senior Living Community on Friday, December 12, at 12:45 pm.  We will be playing Bingo and doing a Christmas craft project led by Donna Ireton from Arts and Scraps.  Many helping hands will be needed for this afternoon.  If you are able to help with this event, please contact Margy Huizinga.  A basket is in the Harms Fireside Room for a collection of Bingo prizes.  Holiday themed gifts and postage stamps are always appreciated.
Opportunities Abound to Help
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.
LSSM Connection 
LSSM for December
lssm This month the focus in our partnership in ministry with Lutheran Social Services of Michigan is Heartline.   Heartline is a residential program for women leaving the federal prison system and who need assistance with rebuilding their lives.  Heartline provides psychosocial support, employment assistance, transportation and assistance with securing living arrangements. 

Our outreach project for LSSM's Heartline during the month of December will be providing Christmas gifts for the children of the residents.  Please see the Giving Tree in the Harms' Fireside Room if you wish to donate an unwrapped gift for a child.  
Coats for Freedom House
We were able to match several coat sizes for the Freedom House residents but are still looking for men's winter coats in sizes medium and small.  Also, women's winter coats in medium and one 2X. 

Please contact Mary Weiland (313-885-6326) or mary@weilandfamily.com if you are able to contribute.  They can be dropped off in the Church Office or picked up from your home.  Thank you!
Ministers of
Worship and Service
Ministers of Worship & Service
December 7
Acolyte Gabe Kirck
Altar Guild Heidi Korte, Gretchen Miotto
Assisting Minister Cindy Stiller
Coffee Hour Jennifer Callewaert
Communion Assistants
Cross Bearer Michaela Kirck
Lector  Cindy Stiller
Ministers of Worship & Service
December 14
Altar Guild Heidi Korte, Gretchen Miotto
Acolyte
Assisting Minister Susan Thompson
Coffee Hour Cookie Walk
Communion Assistants Kent & Cheryl Wiseman
Cross Bearer Volunteer needed
Lector Jim Brege
Weekly Devotional
 From the Southeast Michigan Synod, ELCA

                 Week prior to Sunday, December 7, 2014

                  By Maggie Priestaf, Associate in Ministry  

                  and serving on the Candidacy Committee  

                   and the Consultation Committee of the  

                Southeast Michigan Synod, ELCA

 

"The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever."  

Isaiah 40:8

 

The grass withers but is it dead? Probably not. The flower fades but is there no life left in it? Most likely we will see it bloom again in the spring. Advent is the season of waiting...waiting on God. As I thought about another plant, the grape vine in my back yard losing its leaves and its fruit last month, it occurred to me that this symbol of abundance throughout scripture didn't look rich at all. It looked dead. The plant had entered dormancy. It was waiting for new vitality and strength to be regenerated through its roots.

 

That was a powerful and much needed inspiration to me. You and I often feel unfruitful and unproductive. Aren't there times when we view the church in the same way? But God's Word and the Advent season remind us to WAIT...in faith filled expectancy. What we may be experiencing is not death but a period of dormancy. Though we and those around us seem withered and faded, God's word is at work. This is a time to refocus, reflect, gain strength and prepare to be fruitful once again.

 

 Questions to Ponder:

1. How have you experienced times of dormancy? 

2. What are you waiting for? 

 

Seven Word Prayer:

Give me patience to experience your rebirth. Amen.  


Gathering  Volunteers Needed
2015 ELCA Youth Gathering
in Detroit July 15-19

Rise Up!! Hello from your Local Volunteer Coordinators for the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit July 15-19, 2015.  If you are interested in serving as a local adult volunteer for the Youth Gathering, there are still openings and we need your help.  This message will explain the types of volunteers needed and how to sign up.  Also look for upcoming Information Forums throughout the Synod.  Thank you for your interest and help.

 

The Local Volunteer Corps (LVC) will serve in a wide variety of roles, including general hospitality, communion servers, drivers, money counters, set up and clean up, and many others. The LVC is comprised of "local" adults that are not in need of housing, have a specific time frame they are able to commit to, will be able to drive themselves on a daily basis to Detroit and will receive a food voucher and entrance to that day's Mass Gathering as a thank you for your time.  The Local Volunteer Coordinator will match your gifts with our needs. The list of needs is incomplete at this time so we will be unable to make matches yet.  But once you have signed up, we will confirm that we have received your application.  

 

 

Serving the 2015 ELCA Gathering  

in Detroit as a Local Volunteer

Hundreds of local volunteers are an essential component of the ELCA Gathering being held in Detroit July 15-19, 2015. Local volunteers can serve for one, two, three or more days or even one day for 2-4 hours! Responsibilities include offering counters, communion assistants, hospitality, drivers (rental vehicles provided), set up/clean up, etc. Specific responsibilities will be communicated in the spring.

 

If you are available to serve the ELCA Gathering as a local volunteer, please follow the instructions below today:

 

Step 1   Go to: https://www.conferencebuilders.com/elca2015/teams/start.asp

Step 2   Click on "New registration" (in red)
Step 3   Be sure to choose "Local Arrang." (Beth Smallbeck) from the drop down menu
Step 4   Fill out the registration form disregarding the arrival and departure dates

 

Local volunteers do not receive housing but do receive meal vouchers. Volunteer registration is still open for Community Life and Servant Companions (young adults) for individuals who can commit to the entire event (housing and meals provided). Find information at: http://www.elca.org/YouthGathering/Registration/Volunteers 

 

Look for 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteer Opportunity community meetings being held throughout the synod in late fall. Feel free to contact Local Volunteers Coordinator, Claudia Karpinskas, if you have questions or concerns. karpinskas@sbcglobal.net   Cell 248-227-9032

 

During the Gathering, the Youth will spend one day in the community for their day of service, interaction and assistance with local organizations in one of six interest areas (IAs):


* Housing Matters
* Education
* Environmental Sustainability
* Cultural Immersion / Arts
* Food / Food Justice
* Care in Communities

 

There will be about 12,000 youth working at up to 270 sites each day for three days (July 16-18).   A special local volunteer corps will directly support the Service Learning (SL) activities. The Service Learning Team has needs for Site Captains to coordinate and oversee the projects at each Service Learning Site, and for Skilled Labor, Safety and Security support, and other hands on type opportunities.  The SL volunteers will be out in the community. If you are interested in a Service Learning volunteer opportunity, you must sign up with the Local Volunteer Corps (link above) AND sign up with the Service Learning link below.   Service Learning Job Descriptions are attached to the sign up form for your convenience. If you have questions about volunteering for Service Learning, please contact Dave Upmeyer, Service Learning Volunteer Coordinator, at Dave.Upmeyer@gmail.com or call at 313 881-9522 (home) or 313 378-3793 (cell). 

 

Service Learning Signup Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mME3vXC35KsxZtEpHKQrbturwPCz4_-djyJbXRV5duA/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link