February 13, 2015

Prayers of the People

Click here for the

Prayers of the People

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Calendar of Events

FEBRUARY

2/1
9:30 am

Worship/Communion

Sanctuary

10:45 am

Sunday School

Upstairs Classrooms
____________________________

2/2

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

5:30 pm

Angelic Choir

Jr. Choir Room

5:45 pm

Supper

6:15 pm

Sing and Ring

Jr. Choir Room

7:00 pm

Women's AA

Harms Fireside Room
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2/3

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

9:30 am

Adult Bible Study

Harms Fireside Room

7 pm

Emotions Anonymous

Upstairs Classrooms

7 pm

Pieces Be With You Quilters

Sandrock Hall
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2/4

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

2 pm
Community of Learners
Upstairs classroom

7:30 pm

Young & Restless AA

Sandrock Hall
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2/5

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sanctuary

7 am

Men's Breakfast

Bethany Room

12 Noon

Thursday Bridge

Poppen Hall

6:45 pm

Chancel Bells

Sanctuary

7:30 pm

Sandrock Hall

8 pm

Chancel Choir

Sr. Choir Room
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2/6

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

12 Noon

Friday Bridge

Poppen Hall

12:45 pm
Gateshead Bingo Party
Gateshead Senior Center

7:30 pm

Gamblers Anonymous

Bethany Room
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2/7

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

9:30 am - 12 Noon

Girl Scouts

Sandrock Hall
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2/8

9:30 am

Worship/Communion

Sanctuary

10:45 am

Sunday School

Upstairs Classrooms
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2/9

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

5:30 pm

Angelic Choir

Jr. Choir Room

5:45 pm Pizza

6:15 pm

Sing and Ring

Jr. Choir Room

7 pm

Catechism

Bethany Room

7 pm

WELCA Board mtg

7 pm

Women's AA

Harms Fireside Room
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2/10

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

9:30 am

Adult Bible Study

Harms Fireside Room

1 pm

Staff meeting

Harms Fireside Room

7 pm

Emotions Anonymous

Upstairs Classrooms

7 pm

Pieces Be With You Quilters

Sandrock Hall
____________________________

2/11

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Lifeline Screening
Sandrock Hall

7:30 pm

Young & Restless AA

Sandrock Hall
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2/12

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sanctuary

12 Noon

Thursday Bridge

Poppen Hall

6:45 pm

Chancel Bells

Sanctuary

7:30 pm

Sandrock Hall

8 pm

Chancel Choir

Sr. Choir Room
____________________________

2/13

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

12 Noon

Friday Bridge

Poppen Hall

7:30 pm

Gamblers Anonymous

Bethany Room
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2/14

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall
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2/15

9:30 am

Worship w/Communion

Sanctuary

10:45 am

Sunday School

Upstairs Classrooms
____________________________

2/16

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

5:30 pm

Angelic Choir

Jr. Choir Room

5:45 pm Pizza

6:15 pm

Sing and Ring

Jr. Choir Room

7 pm

Women's AA

Harms Fireside Room
____________________________

2/17

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

9:30 am

Adult Bible Study

Harms Fireside Room

12 Noon
Naomi Circle
Bethany Room

1 pm

Staff meeting

Harms Fireside Room

6:30 pm

Pieces Be With You Quilters

Sandrock Hall

7 pm

Emotions Anonymous

Upstairs Classrooms
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2/18 ASH WEDNESDAY

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

1 & 7 pm Worship/Communion
Sanctuary

7:30 pm

Young & Restless AA

Sandrock Hall

8 pm Church Council
Bethany Room
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2/19

Epistle Deadline

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sanctuary

12 Noon

Thursday Bridge

Poppen Hall

6:45 pm

Chancel Bells

Sanctuary

7:30 pm

Sandrock Hall

8 pm

Chancel Choir

Sr. Choir Room
____________________________

2/20

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

12 Noon

Friday Bridge

Poppen Hall

7:30 pm

Gamblers Anonymous

Bethany Room
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2/21

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall
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2/22

9:30 am

Worship w/Communion

Sanctuary

10:45 am

Sunday School

Upstairs Classrooms
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2/23

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

5:30 pm

Angelic Choir

Jr. Choir Room

5:45 pm Pizza

6:15 pm

Sing and Ring

Jr. Choir Room

7 pm
Catechism
Bethany Room

7 pm

Women's AA

Harms Fireside Room
____________________________

2/24

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

9:30 am

Adult Bible Study

Harms Fireside Room

1 pm

Staff meeting

Harms Fireside Room

7 pm

Pieces Be With You Quilters

Sandrock Hall

7 pm

Emotions Anonymous

Upstairs Classrooms
____________________________

2/25

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

1 & 7 pm Worship
Sanctuary

5:30 pm
WELCA Lenten Dinner
Sandrock Hall

7:30 pm

Young & Restless AA

Sandrock Hall
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2/26

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sanctuary

12 Noon

Thursday Bridge

Poppen Hall

6:45 pm

Chancel Bells

Sanctuary

7:30 pm

Sandrock Hall

8 pm

Chancel Choir

Sr. Choir Room
____________________________

2/27

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall

12 Noon

Friday Bridge

Poppen Hall

7:30 pm

Gamblers Anonymous

Bethany Room
____________________________

2/28

7 am

Early Birds AA

Sandrock Hall
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Quick Links

This Week's LectionaryELCA

Community News

Do you have a church-related event or announcement you'd like to share with the GP community?

E-mail:

communications@stpaulgp.org and we'll spread the word for you!

Please note:

Submissions must be received at least 2 weeks in advance to ensure publication.

Christian Ed

Adult Forum for Sunday, February 15

St. Paul member, David Meza, will share his experience with Project Hope in Palestine. David is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan who actively participated in youth programs at St. Paul and earned the Eagle Scout Award.

Faith Formation

This week in Sunday School, there will be an All Kid's event for the children in Sandrock Hall with a special lesson on the Transfiguration and some Valentine's fun.

The middle school and high school classes will join the Adult Forum in the Bethany room.

The next Confirmation class is Monday, February 23, from 7 - 8:15 pm. Please visit the Confirmation website for important new information: www.stpaulgpconfirm.org

_______________________________________

Spring Ahead Fundraising Night

for St Paul Youth attending the

ELCA National Gathering

Silent Auction and Wine Tasting

Saturday, March 7

$25 per person

Beginning at 7 pm at the Mobley Wine Cellar

Limited seating. RSVP by March 1

For more information, contact Mary Mobley

885-0529 murraymt@comcast.net

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Upcoming milestone celebrations

Welcome to the Lord's Table Milestone

Children in second grade and older are invited to participate in a Milestone workshop on Saturday, March 28, from 9 - 10:30 am in preparation to receive Holy Communion for the first time on Palm Sunday, March 29, in worship at 9:30 am. Please contact the Church Office to register your child, grandchild or godchild, and plan to attend the workshop with him or her.

Preparation for additional 2015 Milestones

Confirmands in 8th grade will meet with the St. Paul "Pieces Be With You" Quilters to make their stoles on Tuesday, March 17 at 7 pm.

Affirmation of Baptism Milestone is Sunday, May 17, at 9:30 am.

High resolution digital photos of our Graduating High School students should be sent to Cheryl Cusmano at cacusmano@comcast.net. Include significant faith milestone photos and the graduation photo. Plans for next year can be sent at a later date if yet to be determined.

Stepping into the World Milestone is Sunday, June 7, in worship at 9:30 am with each graduate receiving a quilt.

God's Work, Our Hands

Lenten Dinners
Food and Fellowship

Please join us at the Wednesday night Lenten Dinners starting February 25. Dinners will start at

5:30 pm and end before the 7 pm Wednesday service.

Proceeds from the freewill offering will be used to cover costs and then to support the charity selected by the preparers. Proceeds will be matched by Thrivent Financial ($1 for each $2 earned).

February 25

Youth Choirs

Chili Dogs, Mac & cheese

March 4

Pieces Be With You

Soups, sides

March 11

Mary Mobley

White Chicken Chili

March 18

National Youth Gathering

Corned Beef & Cabbage

March 25

WELCA

Taco Stew & Corn Bread

Salads, beverages, and desserts will also be provided.

Please see the signup board in the church lobby for additional information.

ELCA World Hunger and Gleaners

This month, our ministry partnership is focused on the ELCA World Hunger initiative and Gleaner's. Worldwide and local efforts to end hunger and food insecurity are lifted in prayer.

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.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Grosse Pointe War Memorial

Fries Auditorium

Thursday, February 26, 2015

9 am to 7:45 pm

Appointments www.redcrossblood.org

sponsor code gpbloodcouncil

Questions: Beth 313.550.3870

Jesus Gave His Blood For Me...

Jesus gave His blood for me,

And so I give my blood for thee,

To save a life, 10 minutes I spare,

I brave a needle to show I care;

I become a hero for people three,

Because of the pint they take from me.

And so I go with a smile in heart,

To give someone else a brand-new start.

Our Lord saved us with pain and strife,

But it takes but a moment to us to save a life.

27th Annual Katy York

Honoring Women Luncheon

March 7, 11 am - 2 pm, Best Western Plus, 34911 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, MI. $20 per person

Details posted on the WELCA Bulletin Board.

Also, we would like to recognize one of our members,

Dr. Angelique Day, who is currently serving as President of Women of the ELCA - Southeastern Michigan Synod.

In these times of trouble throughout our world, we need more women stepping up to serve in loving ways. Consider helping either here at St. Paul or on a wider plane.

Join the St. Paul Youth Choirs for our

Spring Musical Presentation!

"RESCUE in the NIGHT "

The Story of Daniel in the Lion's Den

Full Performance

May 9, 2015

Highlights during
worship service

May 10, 2015

"Rescue In The Night" is a 45-minute musical of the story of Daniel in the lions' den. Told in a light-hearted way, it is still faithful to the biblical account. The musical is filled with memorable melodies and the script is highly entertaining.

Last year, the choirs presented "Malice in the Palace; The Story of Esther". The children enjoyed great camaraderie during the rehearsals and our performance was outstanding!

Youth, ages 4 through 8th grade, are warmly invited to be a part of our 2015 show. Musical rehearsals are Monday evenings. If your child wishes to join us, we can work around occasional conflicts. (Perfect attendance is not required).

Contact Maggie Rees-Baker for more information.

CROP Walk

Think Spring! The Social Action committee is seeking a Crop Walk coordinator for this coming Spring's walk. Through the efforts of local churches working together, this event raises money for the hungry in metro Detroit and the world.

Duties include attending planning meetings with area churches, publicizing the event to members, and registering walkers. The Crop Walk is typically held in early May with planning meetings beginning in February.

If interested please contact Shelley Reisen @ 882-8099 (home) or treisen@comcast.net.

Ministers of

Worship and Service

February 15, 2015

Altar Guild (February) Pat Sierant, Carol Meza

Acolyte Gabe Kirck

Assisting Minister Bill Wrobel

Children's Sermon Dana Miller
Coffee Hour Carol Meza

Communion Assistants B. Brosseau, K. Edick,
R. & B. Grenzke

Cross Bearer Michaela Kirck

Lector Peg Upmeyer
Pray & Play Susan Kvale

February 22, 2015

Altar Guild (February) Pat Sierant, Carol Meza

Acolyte

Assisting Minister Bill Wrobel

Children's Sermon Mary Mobley
Coffee Hour Ed Sieloff

Communion Assistants C. & N. Cusmano, M. & M. Zeller
Cross Bearer
Lector Jim Brege
Pray & Play Mary Mobley

Weekly Devotions

Week prior to Sunday, February 15, 2015

The Transfiguration of our Lord

By The Rev. Paul Walkers

Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Master, Troy

and Dean of Conference #11

Southeast Michigan Synod, ELCA

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.

Mark 9:2-3

Most people care about the clothes they wear. We choose our outfits, we try and coordinate. And even if all you do is choose the most comfortable articles of clothing in your closet you are still choosing with some thought what you are wearing. We also pay attention to the clothing others wear.

It is interesting given how much time and energy go into the clothes we wear, how little we hear about such things in scripture. In fact this description of Jesus' clothing on the mount of Transfiguration is one of the only times his clothing is described. The other time being when he is stripped at the crucifixion.

This is the day we see Jesus revealed in a holy and radiant glory. A pure righteousness that you can't help but notice. But this Jesus is hidden from the world.

The Jesus revealed to the world is the one who is beaten, bloodied and abandoned. And it is on the cross that the world finally sees Jesus in his glory. Not the obvious radiant glory of Transfiguration, but the holy glory of one who gives himself completely, not caring the cost.

Weddings are wonderful celebrations. For most people this is the most formal they will ever dress in their lives. But love is not just about loving someone when they look their best. The love that lasts is the love that holds the other close when they look their worst. This is the powerful life changing, world changing love of Jesus. He comes to us at his worst on the cross to love us at our best and our worst and everywhere in between.

Question to Ponder:

How have you seen the love of Jesus at your worst?

Help Bring a Palestinian Youth

to the 2015 Youth Gathering in Detroit

As a companion congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Amman, Jordan, we have been asked to sponsor a youth to the 2015 Youth Gathering in Detroit in July.

WELCA has already generously provided $800 to this effort, but we need $2000 more for visas, air fare, and travel expenses. We hope to have a time to visit with the group from the ELCJHL after the Gathering. Church Council has authorized a special fund to receive offerings through February.

If you could support this effort, use a special offering envelope and designate it to ELCJHL Youth to Gathering.

Thanks very much,

Dave Upmeyer

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.

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