Announcements for February 17

LOUIS FUND 1015 is an outreach project to help a man who was greatly impacted by the flood in Ephrata last year.  Don Shaub is in charge of this project, and asks you to keep everyone involved in your prayers for their safety, skills required and success with this project.  There is still work to be done, if you are able to help with labor (dry wall finishers, trim, doors & windows, siding) or financial support.  Donations are to be made out to St. Paul.  Please note Louis Fund 1015 on memo.  Contact Don 625-3559.

AS A RESULT OF THE RESOURCE ASSESSMENT that was done by Pastor Renee LiaBraaten of Kairos, Council has formed three focus groups.  The purpose of these groups is to try to meet the needs of our Church as outlined in Pastor Renee's report and to plan for the future of St. Paul.  One of the focus groups is called the Resource Focus Group.  Part of the task of this group is to prepare for a smooth transition when Pastor Gable retires in the next few years. The Resource Focus group is looking for 7-10 people to help define the desirable traits and skills of a future Pastor to St. Paul congregation. We are looking for participants from various ages and interest groups who represent a good cross section of the congregation.  If you are willing to share your thoughts and concerns with this focus group, please contact Chris Nikoloff , Gayle Stauffer or the church office as soon as possible.  We would like to begin discussions in early 2013.

SAVE YOUR 64 OZ. JUICE CANS!  WELCA is collecting the clean cans, preferably with the top and bottom removed, for a project later in the year.  There is a collection box in the narthex.

WE HAVE A POSITION open for a Director of Social Ministries.  This is a part-time position, and will focus on developing and growing the social ministries here at St. Paul.  You may stop in at the church office for a job description and more information.  Resumes may be sent to the church office.

THE LADIES LUNCH BUNCH will gather on February 20, at 11:30 at Tomato Pie Café, 23 N Broad St. Lititz.  All ladies are welcome to join us.  Their menu is unique, and all choices are so tasty.  What better way to suffer through the shortest month that seems to take the longest to pass, than a delicious serving of Tomato Pie?  Please sign up in the book located at the kiosk in the Narthex.  Any questions can be directed to Nancy Miller at 405-0000.

ST. PAUL BREW CREW will be going to The Fridge in Lancaster on Tuesday, February 19th.  Meet at the church to leave by 6:00 p.m.  Please sign up in the sign-up book in the narthex.

THE FEBRUARY CHRISTIAN SERVICE BOX donations, will go toward a Criminal Justice System Ministry project called Basket of Love. A laundry basket will be bought and filled with personal hygiene items, communications items such as pens, pencils and an address book and laundry supplies. (This is the same project St. Paul participated in last year when it had a different name--(T.O.S.S.--Take One Small Step).  About $100 is needed to buy and fill one basket.

MARCH 1, 2013 is the date on which the World Day of Prayer service will be held at Hosanna! A Fellowship of Christians Church at 29 Green Acre Road. This 7 p.m. service features a variety of music and the freewill offering will be given to the Release Time Program in the Warwick School District. A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow the service.

THE NEXT MEN’S BIBLE STUDY and breakfast will occur on Saturday, March 2nd here at our church.  We will get started at 7 a.m..  Come out for a stimulating Bible study, fellowship, and a great breakfast.  Also help is needed with food and setting up tables and chairs.  If you can help, please contact Jim Millhouse at e44a@ptd.net or 626-6296. 

THE LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS are now ready for pick up.  Please check the table in the narthex.  I would like to thank all of the contributors and especially Susan Faulkner for all of her help in putting the booklet together.  The next opportunity, for St. Paul members to contribute to a devotional booklet will be this coming Advent season.  Jim Millhouse

 

VBS PLANNING Meeting is scheduled for Monday February 25th at 6:30 p.m.  Anyone interested in helping to plan the 2013 VBS program is welcome to join us.  We will meet at the Christian Ed. office. 

 

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to Power Packs on Mission Awareness Sunday.  Through your generosity, a check for $658 was sent to this worthy nonprofit organization.

BLANKET MAKING will be held March 9th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the social hall.  No sewing experience is needed.  Come for all or part of the morning.  Lutheran World Relief is looking for 500,000 blankets to be made.  The need is great!

THE WOMEN OF THE ELCA Book Club will meet on April 4th at 7 pm in the lounge to discuss "The Sandcastle Girls" by Chris Bohjalian.  The book is available in paperback, audio CD, and large print.  In his 15th book, the author tells a spellbinding tale that travels between Allepo, Syria in 1915 and Bronxville, N.Y. in 2012.  As an Armenian American, the author was moved to write about the Armenian genocide of 1.5 million people in the Ottoman Empire.  All women of the church are invited to attend.