Communicater

Living in a community near a lake has always been important to me. I grew up playing on the beaches of Lake Erie, so water easily seems my friend. During those periods in my life where my journey took me places where there was no nearby lake, I would search out the river or stream where one could sit in the stillness of the moment as the waters themselves flowed on to the rest of the world.

In a devotional book written for pastors the author wrote, “The God you serve is like an eternal lake whose waters are always calm and clear like glass, reflecting truth to all who gaze upon them. A million million reflections and the lake remains the same. It is not your job to stir the waters, but to show the way to the lakeside.” 1.

In a world collapsing in on itself where trust has been naively placed in financial institutions, corporate structures, and government to keep life balanced and happy, the time has come for all of us to find our way back to THE lakeside. It is time we return our trust to God.

Our Creator continues to be the measure of truth because God is Truth. God brings the assurance of calm because our Creator can weather the storm. A “...million million...” images are projected on God, but God still remains who God is. It is our Creator upon whom we can depend to never change or fail. And yet, in all this, we find God still to be a Mystery.

You know, there is nothing that beats sitting by a quiet lake early in the morning, listening to fish jump, ducks quack, geese honk, or the wings of a swan moving swiftly over the water. Then, you realize how flimsy are the things of men and how sure and certain are the things of God.

The “...still waters of the eternal lake....” (our Creator God) will never fail us but to enjoy those still waters we all have to go to the lakeside and see for ourselves. 2.

(1) Martin, William C. 1994. The Art of Pastoring: Contemplative Reflections. Decatur, Georgia: CTS Press. 4.

On Sunday, September 28th our worshiping congregation that day became part of an elite group of people from about 1,300 congregations across our nation who took part in a survey funded by the Lilly Foundation.

Designed to be filled out during a worship service, the survey was meant to capture a snapshot of who across America is in worship on any given Sunday, what they feel about their faith, about their congregation and about their God, among many other things.

The last 20 minutes of the service were used to give worshipers opportunity to fill out the survey. The surveys were then returned immediately to the team that developed them and who would compile the information.

The survey was administered across denominational lines, in larger churches, medium size churches and small churches. We will receive information back regarding our own congregation and regarding the outcome of the whole study. Such information is invaluable to any congregation.

Thank you to those who were in worship that Sunday and participated in the survey. We look forward to using the results to strengthen future ministries and worship experiences of our congregation.

Nov. 2

Nov. 9

Nov. 16

Nov. 23

Nov. 30

Church

School

Confirmation

Worship

9:00 am

10:30 am

9:00 am

10:30 am

9:00 am

10:30 am

9:00 am

10:30 am

9:00 am

10:30 am

Though stewardship is about the sharing of time, talent, and treasure, at budget time we tend to think more about the financial aspects of it. Some of you may be interested to know how your offering compares to what others in the congregation give. The Stewardship Committee has prepared the following chart detailing the total of our 2007 giving toward our Current Fund so that you may determine where your annual contribution falls in relation to others in the congregation.

Don’t forget! On Sunday, November 9th we will dedicate our “estimate of giving” for 2009 to the work of our Lord. Be here and bring your estimate with you. If you can’t be in worship that day, mail your cards in. May God bless our congregation!

Qualified Charitable Distributions were a provision of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) that allow IRA owners age 70 ½ and older to donate cash or securities from their Traditional and Roth IRAs directly to a qualified charity tax-free. Other important details include:

? Must be a direct IRA transfer to a qualified charity. $100,000 per person maximum. Can satisfy Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). This provision is available for distributions made from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009.

? Consult your investment and/or tax advisor to determine the effect on your personal situation prior to making this type of contribution.

The Community Thanksgiving Service will be held on Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm here at St. Paul’s this year. We hope you will be able to attend.

t We are still looking for a Chairperson for the Hospitality Committee. This group is responsible for the Golden Sunday luncheon in June and lining up grills for the Summer picnic, as well as any special functions determined by Consistory and/or Pastor Ed. Please contact Lynda Hadley if you can give of your time and talent for this position.

t It’s that time of the year when we are looking for 2009 Consistory members. We are looking for 4 deacons, 2 elders and 1 trustee to fill 3 year terms, and 1 elder to fill a one year term. Please contact Laura Yelton, Bernie Schroer or Cal Caywood if you can give of your time in these positions.

Our November Mission and Outreach Project is Food for Agape. We will have containers in the sanctuary beginning November 2 for your donations. Any canned or boxed foods are needed. Of special need are protein sources such as canned meats, beans, or peanut butter. During this time of the year, holiday items can also be used. By the end of this year Agape expects to have fed almost 10,000 clients.

Also, at the monthly meeting of the Agape Board of Directors, the board agreed with Kathy Bayless that it would be nice to give those in need a turkey this year for Thanksgiving. The Board is asking each member church to donate 15-20 turkeys to support this cause. If you are able to donate a turkey, please contact Lynda Hadley by November 7. You can either purchase a 10-12 pound turkey and deliver it to Agape by November 13, or make a cash donation and Kathy will make the purchase for you. A turkey this size will cost approximately $12.00-15.00 this year.

Thank you to everyone for helping collect winter items for the One Warm Coat drive. Our church family donated 27 coats/jackets, 5 scarves, 4 pairs mittens, 2 hats, & 8 pairs of socks. The collection site was The Lutheran Church & the drive was very successful. Agape will be giving all items collected to those in need.

“Handling Criticism: If it’s untrue, disregard it. If it’s unfair, keep from irritation. If it’s ignorant, smile. If it’s justified, learn from it.”

2008 ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY

Come and enjoy a night out

filled with food, fun and fellowship!!

December 7th - Fellowship Hall

Entertainment this year will

be the Crescent Players.

Look for more details on the party

in the December issue of the newsletter

and in Sunday church bulletins.

Be sure though, to mark

this date on your calendar!!

NURSERY

Andrea Clark, Teacher

Lori Now, Teacher

Cody Birt

Tyler Birt

Audra Clark

Brynn Clark

Kaylee Clausing

Collin Ridgway

Brian Speckman

Caleb Turner

Parker Wilson

PRESCHOOL

Rebecca Leffel

Brett Speckman

Charley Spencer

Brooke Turner

Joey Vanderhorst

KINDERGARTEN/

1ST GRADE

Alison Craft, Teacher

Emma Birt

Lindsey Clausing

Katie Lucas

Bradley Speckman

Lucy Spencer

Preston Wilson

Tricia Yahl

Kalie Gayer

Kyle Lucas

Allison Vanderhorst

2ND/3RD/4TH GRADE

Jill Dickman, Teacher

(ART)

Howie Spencer

Morgan Brown

Laura Donovan

Natalie Ginter

Courtney Leffel

Leah Strand

CJ Vanderhorst

5TH/6TH/7TH GRADE

Laura Yelton, Teacher

(THEATER)

Dylan Brown

Derek Leffel

Alex Now

Jenny Briggs

Nathan Siemer

8TH GRADE

CONFIRMATION

Amy Keller, Teacher

Brennan Brown

Cameron Hansel

Luke Leffel

9TH/10TH/11TH/

12TH GRADE

Mike Hirschfeld, Teacher

Megan Klein

Lindsey Briggs

ADULT CLASS

Mary Alice Stoner, Teacher

Vera Fleagle

§ CE & N WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE SHEPHERDS AND LEADERS FOR THE 10 COMMANDMENTS UNIT FOR SHARING THEIR TIME AND TALENTS WITH THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN. ALSO, HELPERS IN THE NURSERY DEPARTMENT DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL HOUR.

IF WE HAVE FORGOTTEN ANYONE, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND TALENT WITH THE CHILDREN.

m SOUP AND SANDWICH SUNDAY - will be November 2nd following morning worship. Please join us for a warm bowl of soup and delicious sandwich and most of all fellowship with each other!!

¡ BUSY NEEDLES - we meet the last Tuesday of the month. Join us for fellowship, knotting, cutting, and binding. Contact Margaret Hunter at 419-305-1321 (please note Margaret has a new phone #).

¡ QUILTERS - we will begin quilting again on Wednesday, September 3rd at 9:00 am. We will meet on the stage in Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, call Margaret Hunter at 419-305-1321. NOTE: Our Quilters donated 2 quilts to Crossroad for their annual Quilt Auction and Car Show held October 4th. Also 12 throw pillows were given to the children at Crossroads.

¡ GUILD MEETING NOTES - On September 22, Candice Dicke from Family Life Center of Auglaize Co. spoke to the women about the programs that are available and of their needs. Baby blankets, booties, and hats made by Busy Needles were given to the center. Two quilts to be given to Crossroad for their auction were displayed. Motions were made to give $100.00 to the Family Life Center, $500.00 towards video equipment for the church, $300.00 to the Call-Em-All program, and $200.00 to Agape. A check for $500.00 had been sent to the Northwest Ohio Association Women’s Board for our share of the “Love Gift” which goes to the organizations listed in the back of the Women’s booklet. All women are part of the Women’s Guild and are welcome at any cabinet meetings or circle meetings. For more information on the ways you can be a part of these groups, call Margaret Hunter, Jami Leffel, Jane Nuss, Andrea Spencer, Kris Vanderhorst, or Mary Wale.

¡ INTRODUCING THE WOGALS!!!......... - What are WOGALS? We are Women Of Grace And Loving Service. This is the new women’s group of St. Pauls UCC, and we are very excited to introduce ourselves to you. A few activities have been planned for the remainder of the year and all women are welcome to join us. Please look and listen for announcements about upcoming events, activities, and news. You may contact Andrea Spencer or Jami Leffel or other WOGALS if you have any questions or comments. Thank you!!

J Congratulations to Jeremy and Brenda Holtzapple on the birth of their daughter, Jovie Marie on September 26th! Proud grandparents are John and Mary Holtzapple and great grandmothers are Lillian Holtzapple and Mary Ramsey.

% Congratulations to Scott Fast and Shawna Ball on their marriage October 11th. Scott is the son of Dennis and Diana Fast and Doug and Janice Everman.

% Congratulations to Jennifer Sands and Bret Gaston on their marriage October 18th. Jennifer is the daughter of Richard and Kathy Hirschfeld.

The A.C.C.A. line dancers would like to thank St. Paul’s for the use of Fellowship Hall while the Council on Aging remodeled their building.

We, the Swingin’ Seniors, wish to thank you for your great generosity in letting us use your facilities while the Council on Aging was remodeling! Also, our special thanks to Bob for being so patient and accommodating.

A big thank you to everyone who helped with the bingo games at Auglaize Acres, Otterbein, and the Valley and Living Center nursing homes. Thanks to those who donated quarters and money for prizes, those who baked cookies, and those who gave of their time. The residents look forward to our ‘parties’ and we have a good time too. You are welcome to join us next year. Thanks again everyone.

Thanks to all who participated in any way in the October 8th Fall Cafeteria, Bake Sale and Fabulous $5 Fair!

The first-ever Fabulous $5 Fair was a success with over $500 raised for the Women’s Guild. The bake sale also raised over $500. And we were so busy in the Cafeteria that we ran out of food. We’ll plan for more meals next year! As of the time of this article, all the bills have not been accounted for, but I’m certain we earned good money in the Cafeteria as well.

This day is possible because so many church members give of their time and talents! Thanks to each and every one of you!

Thank you so much for responding to the Festival of Sharing Church World Service Kit appeal. Many individuals, congregations, church groups and Church Women United delivered Kits to the festival. These Kits were then delivered to the Church World Service warehouse in New Windsor, Maryland.

Our New Windsor warehouse director reports that the festival of Sharing Kits could not have come at a better time as she has numerous requests to fill missions in many parts of the world, and restocking is necessary so that we are able to respond quickly in time of disaster.

Thanks to Paul and Carolyn Wiehe for delivering 33 school and 2 layette kits to Westerville. This has saved our church many dollars in shipping. Also Thanks to all who donated items for our kits.

I would like to thank everyone who remembered me in their prayers while I was in the hospital and my continued recovery at Otterbein. Also, a big thank you to all who sent cards, flowers, goodies, calls and visits. What a blessing you have been. Your thoughtfulness and kindness will always be special in my heart.

“People who want to move mountains must start by carrying away small stones.”

Thank you for your many cards, concerns, and prayers over the last six months. As some of you already know, in April I went to the emergency room feeling very ill. It turned out that I had bleeding ulcers (caused by the H-pylori bacteria). That caused a kind of domino effect sending me into shock, suffering a minor heart attack, decreased oxygen levels, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, becoming jaundiced and more.

In the words of one of my doctors at Indiana University Hospital who saw me just two weeks ago, “When you arrived here, you were yellow, all your organs were failing and you were dying. It is nothing short of a miracle that you are still alive.” He called me a “walking miracle.’” The people at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital here in St. Marys saved my life with blood transfusions and treatment for oxygen deprivation. The caring staff at the Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, where I was transferred, kept me alive and put me on the road to recovery. The therapy at the Golden Valley Nursing Home in St. Marys got me back on my feet. The cardiologists at Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital at Ohio State University treated and tested my heart making it strong and well. And, my personal physician, Dr. Cynthia Gaerke, knew where I needed to be and who I needed to see to make it all happen.

I admit that at times I have questioned the power of prayer, but now I believe very much in what prayer can do. Thank you for caring about me, remembering me through a very difficult time and praying for my recovery.

Upon a day apart, To praise the Lord with feast and song In thankfulness of heart .

* CARDS AND LETTERS - for our church members in the military. They would enjoy hearing from their St. Paul’s church family:

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me , and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15

n VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to deliver videotapes of the morning worship services to our homebound and shut-ins. If you are interested, please contact Dick Armstrong at 419-394-2265 or call the church office. Thank you!!

n EVENING EXERCISE CLASSES - Mondays & Thursdays at 5:15 in the church nursery - all are welcome!!

n CALL-EM-ALL - Please let the church office know if you are experiencing any problems with the Call-Em-All phone messages. If you have a cell # you would like added to your name on the list, please call Peg in the office. Also, please contact the office if you would like to be removed from the calling list or listen to the broadcast and at the end follow their directions to ‘opt out’ of any future broadcasts - this will remove your number from the calling list. If you would like to make a financial donation to this, please submit your contribution to the church office or place in a pew envelope and mark it 'Calling Program'. Any amount donated is appreciated - it is not necessary to donate a ‘months’ cost of this program. Thank you!!

m TODAY’S SENIOR LIVING SERIES - sponsored by the Auglaize County Council on Aging - a monthly program of presentations and discussions on a wide variety of topics which interest today’s senior. They are free and open to the public and held the third Tuesday of every month at the Council on Aging from 11:00 am - 12:00 Noon. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REMODELING IS COMPLETE SO THESE PRESENTATIONS ARE NOW BEING HELD AT THE COUNCIL ON AGING FACILITY. For more details, please call Trena or Michelle at 419-394-8252 or 1-866-244-6401.

m SPOOKY SPAGHETTI - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Cancer Association of Auglaize County exists to promote that awareness and to help people who have all kinds of cancer. That help includes mileage reimbursement, wigs, medications, and other help. The CAAC is having its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 31st at the St Marys Eagles Lodge, downstairs, from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. Call 419-300-3556 to reserve tickets at $7.00 each. You can dine in or take it home. Help them treat, not trick, on this Halloween night.

m CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE - the JTDM Hospital Gift Shop will conduct an Open House on Friday, November 21st from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. All Auxiliary members receive a 20% discount on purchases anytime throughout the year. Please come and support the Auxiliary.

m GIVING THANKS a community Thanksgiving dinner will be served Thanksgiving Day from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the American Legion on SR 703 west of St. Marys. Guests will be welcomed into a restaurant atmosphere and will be entertained by area musicians. Giving Thanks...Food, Entertainment, Fellowship...it’s for everyone and it’s free! Delivery service is also available for the homebound. Those who would like a meal or meals delivered may call 419-394-8658. Carry outs are also available.

( If you will be going to the hospital or if someone you know is hospitalized, please call the church office and let us know. Please help us in this effort. Thank you.

( Please call the church office with address corrections. Also, if you do not see your Birthday or Anniversary listed during the correct month, please let us know. Please call 419-394-3811. Thank you!!

J smucc@bright.net - is the church e-mail address. You can e-mail articles for the newsletter or a message for the Sunday bulletin via the Internet.

J ebray@bright.net is Rev. Bray’s personal email address if you would like to contact him.

J mstrand@bright.net to contact Kendra Strand for the Email Prayer Chain Requests.

J Videotapes - the Sunday morning worship service is recorded on videotape each week. If you would like a copy for viewing, call the church office at 419-394-3811.

J Televised worship service- our worship service here at St. Paul’s is also shown on TSC cable - channel 12, every Sunday at 10:30 am and also on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm. There is a one week delay of the service shown.