St. Paul’s Evangelical
Country Church
11055 Dumfries Ave.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
WATCHWORD
NEWS
March, 2013
Joe Harder, Pastor
(712) 366-1930
Website:
stpaulsecc.org
“He is not here, for He is risen, just as He said…”
Matthew 28:6a
MARCH CHURCH CALENDAR
Saturday, March 2
Men’s Breakfast. 8:00 AM
Sunday, March 3
Sunday School, 9:15 AM
Worship Service/Communion, 10:30 AM
Evening Bible Study at Nelson’s home, 6:00 PM
YOUTH GROUP
Wednesday, March 6
REVELATION Bible Study for Women begins, 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 7
Women’s Friendship Circle, 11:30 AM
Saturday, March 9
Women’s Brunch, 9:00 AM
Sunday, March 10
Sunday School, 9:15 AM
(New Adult Study on book of DANIEL begins)
Worship Service/ “PIN SUNDAY,” 10:30 AM
Evening Bible Study at Nelson’s home, 6:00 PM
H2O Study at McKern’s home, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, March 12
Women’s Bible Study at Joyce Nelson’s home, 6:00 PM
Wednesday, March 13
Women’s REVELATION Bible Study at church, 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 14
Church Council Meeting, 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 17
Sunday School, 9:15 AM
Worship Service, 10:30 AM
Evening Bible Study at Nelson’s home, 6:00 PM
YOUTH GROUP
Wednesday, March 20
Women’s REVELATION Bible Study at church, 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 24
PALM SUNDAY!
Sunday School, 9:15 AM
Worship Service, 10:30 AM
Evening Bible Study at Nelson’s, 6:00 PM
H2O Study at McKern’s, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, March 26
Women’s Bible Study at Joyce Nelson’s home, 6:00 PM
Wednesday, March 27
Women’s REVELATION Bible Study at church, 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 31
EASTER SUNDAY! He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!!!!
Sunday School, 9:15 AM
Worship Service, 10:30 AM
MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY COUNCIL MEETING
Ron Heuwinkel
Members present: Gary Elgan, Chad Guilliams, Ron Heuwinkel, Linda Lauridsen, Dave Nelson, Connie
Peters, Chuck Petersen, Marlita Perry, J Stott.
Guest present: Mike Tillia
The meeting was called to order at 7 PM. Joe Harder opened the meeting with prayer.
The Council elected officers for the coming year: Ron Heuwinkel, President; Marlita Perry, Vice-President. The
Secretary position was left temporarily unfilled.
Mike Tillia, representing the Cemetery Committee, requested input on the Committee’s plan to place signs in
the church cemetery with regulations for grave decorations. The Committee would like to have such signs up
before Memorial Day.
Connie moved to accept the minutes of the January, 2013 meeting as read by Ron; Chuck seconded. Motion
carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Report made by Connie. Motion to accept the report made by Chuck; Chad seconded. Motion carried.
Old Business
Discussion held regarding equipping one of the Sunday School rooms with a video monitor and speakers to
serve as a nursery for the worship service so that parents would have a place to take children and still be able
to see/hear the service upstairs. Memorial money would be used for this project. Further discussion regarding
whether such a nursery would be staffed (on a rotating basis) so parents could remain upstairs. Council will
also consider whether to equip the Fellowship Hall with similar equipment to serve as an overflow room. Chad
will begin to research the suitable technology and the prices of such equipment.
New Business
J advised that there is a need for new members of the Missions Committee. Several people have expressed
their willingness to serve. J moved that the Council appoint Melody Diamond, Jac Maquire, and Dave and
Joyce Nelson to the Missions Committee; Linda seconded. Motion carried.
Connie noted that she has received a letter from the IRS, and that St. Paul’s will now need to pay payroll taxes
on a quarterly basis. She also noted that the church needs to fill out a supplemental form for the County
Assessor’s office.
Joe noted that “H2O: A Journey of Faith” group meetings are off to a good start with nearly a dozen people in
attendance at the first meeting. The study is designed for those who are seeking to explore the relevance of
Christ.
Vacation Bible School will be June 17-22. Jac Maquire is the Director; Connie Tillia, Co-Director.
Joe also noted that Kris Donaghy is interested in inviting people to a webcast of the Verge Conference 2013
held in Austin, TX, March 1-2. The conference centers on the theme of making disciples. The webcast would
be viewed in a church member’s home.
Dave Nelson noted Acts 20:28, the verse read at the Council Installation on February 3. In that verse, the
apostle Paul charges church leaders with the task of ”shepherding” the church of God. Dave highlighted the
importance of Council members wrestling with how to apply that verse.
Motion was made to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Connie Peters, Treasurer
ACTUAL YTD
BUDGET 2013
BUDGET minus ACTUAL
OFFERINGS
$ 9,760.90
EXPENSE
$ 7,392.23
$117,441.13
$110,048.90
________________________________________________________________________________________
Net Income/Expense
$ 2,368.67
MISSIONS UPDATE
Kris Donaghy
I want to say a special THANK YOU to our congregation for your willingness to share your resources in such
an amazing way! We filled “to overflowing” 29 Action Packs for the Voice of the Martrys Ministry for distribution
in Pakistan. I believe that God knows the recipients and will bless them as He has blessed us with this
opportunity. Thanks also for the generous contributions you made towards shipping the Action Packs to the
VOM Headquarters in Bartlesville, OK. We used these contributions to rent a trailer that was filled with the
packs and driven to Bartlesville by Dave Clayton, a VOM District Representative, who was planning, as God
would have it, a trip to VOM at this very time!! Our thanks to Dave for doing this!! This project was a grand
illustration of God’s heart in our congregation and how God can use us to reach out to His precious people all
over the world! (Please be praying for the Christians in Pakistan at this critical time in that country.)
BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE
Tom Donaghy, Chairman
BUILDING THERMOSTATS: Some time ago, we upgraded the thermostats in the Church and Fellowship Hall.
These programmable units allowed us to narrow down even further the amount of time we heat and cool these
buildings to a comfort level during occupancy. This results in a considerable savings on electricity and
propane gas.
Should either building be used during non-routine periods, i.e. meetings, family gatherings, etc., the
temperature can be controlled quite easily. On the outside of the thermostat there is an UP and DOWN arrow.
Simply press the arrow of choice and watch for the digital readout to reach the temperature you desire. Here’s
the beauty of it - if you forget to reset the temperature when you’re done, it will automatically go back to the
programmed setting when it reaches the next time interval.
However, if you open the flap on the thermostat and manipulate the controls, the program is altered. This
happened recently, and the affected building was unnecessarily heated to comfort level for nearly a week
before it was determined that it had been changed!
Your cooperation with this is appreciated.
CEMETERY COMMITTEE
Mike Tillia, Chairman
Here are the updated Rules and Regulations for the St. Paul’s E.C.C. Cemetery, effective March 1, 2013.

No permanent planting of trees and shrubs.
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Arrangements in urns attached to headstone, or over the stone fixtures are permitted. Shepherd hooks
must be placed next to the stone so as not to interfere with mowing and upkeep of the cemetery.

Christmas decorations and grave blankets must be removed by April 1st.

MEMORIAL DAY RULES: Artificial decorations, plants, and flags must be removed 10 days after Memorial
Day. All decorations will be removed after said date.
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GROUP STUDIES
“12 Unlikely Heroes” – 6 PM Sunday evenings at Dave and Joyce Nelson’s. (20726 Cardinal Lane).
“Don’t Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart” (Women’s study) – 6 PM on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Leader and
Hostess: Joyce Nelson.
“Revealing Jesus Christ: A Study of REVELATION” (Women’s study) – 7 PM on Wednesday evenings
in the Fellowship Hall. Leader, Becky Nash.
“H2O: A Journey of Faith” – 7 PM on 1st and 3rd Sunday nights at the McKern’s (12258 Woodland Trail).
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Currently, there are two Sunday School classes for adults each week at 9:15 AM! In the sanctuary, Pastor Joe
is teaching a class called “Understanding the Bible.” Another class meets in the Fellowship Hall at the same
time. Currently, they are finishing an in-depth study of ACTS with teacher, J Stott. Beginning on March 10,
Rob Hampton will lead a study of Book of DANIEL.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
One of the really precious gifts given us to GOD is the gift of spending time with our church family! So…enjoy
that gift by being part of one of these GREAT time of fellowship:
MEN’S BREAKFAST: Saturday, March 2 at 8:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
WOMEN’S FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE: Thursday, March 7 at 11:30 AM. For more info, talk to Connie Tillia.
WOMEN’S BRUNCH: Saturday, March 9 at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
2013 COUNCIL BLUFFS SOUTHERN GOSPEL CONCERT SERIES
J Stott
Many of you are interested in this concert series, so here is the 2013 schedule! All concerts will be held at the
Salvation Army Church at 715 North 16th Street. Free admission, with a free will offering received.
Saturday, March 2 @ 6:00 PM – The PHIL and PAM MORGAN FAMILY
Thursday, March 21 @ 7:00 PM – The LESTERS
Saturday, April 20 @ 7:00 PM – FORGIVEN TRIO
Saturday, May 4 @ 7:00 PM - The GARMS FAMILY
Saturday, May 25 @ 7:00 PM – The NEEDHAMS
Friday, June 28 @7:00 PM – The WILLIAMSONS
Saturday, July 13 @ 7:00 PM – The JOURNEYMAN
Saturday, August 24 noon-4:00 PM – GOSPEL MUSIC IN THE PARK
in Bayliss Park (featuring our very own “Heaven Bound Band”
and “New Shoes”)
Saturday, August 24 @ 7:00 PM – CHANCELLOR’S QUARTET
Saturday, September 21 @ 7:00 PM - ERNIE COUCH & REVIVAL
Friday, October 25, 2013 @ 6:00 PM – The ALLEN FAMILY
Friday, November 15 @ 6:00 PM – The BROWNS
(Editor’s note: For those of you who may not know this, this concert series is organized and presented by Rick
and Deb Boehm of our St.Paul’s family! So, mark your calendars for one, or ALL, of these concerts, and let’s
show Rick and Deb that we support them in this very special ministry…and enjoy some great Gospel music at
the same time!!)
A THANK YOU FROM ELLEN and DAWN
Our sincere thanks to everyone for your prayers, cards, and memorials shared in the passing of my soulmate,
Dawn’s father, and Kelsey and Christian’s Papa, Larry Jiskra. Thank you, too, to the ladies of the church for
all the wonderful food that they made and served and all the work in the kitchen for the luncheon following the
burial service.
With Love,
Dawn Kountze and Ellen Jiskra
THANK YOU FROM THE McKERNS
We would like to thank our church family for being there for us during the loss of Larry’s sister, Nancy, and my
brother-in-law, Bob. Your kindness has meant a lot to us. Special thanks to Joe for stopping by our home to
check on us and for his prayers of comfort.
God Bless You All,
Larry and Mary McKern
OUR SYMPATHY TO THE WILSONS
Heartfelt sympathy is sent to Craig and Linda Wilson on the death of Linda’s father, Paul Hessel, who died on
January 11, 2013. Be praying for these dear ones as they move through this time of grieving.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ROD AND DAWN!!!
On February 9, Rod and Dawn Shere welcomed their first grandson, Alekzander Zajak! Parents of this
wonderful gift from GOD are Nic and Jessica Zajak. We are so excited for all of you and LOVE seeing Rod try
not to smile too much when he shows pictures of the baby!!! May GOD richly bless you all as you enjoy this
precious baby boy.
A MERRY HEART DOETH GOOD LIKE MEDICINE (Prov, 17:22)
Submitted by Kent Harrold
A Sunday School teacher asked her children as they were on their way to the church service, “And why is it
necessary to be quiet in church?” One bright little girl replied, ”Because people are sleeping!!!” 

PASTOR’S NOTE
If you’ve flown on any airline, you’ve heard the safety talk before take-off. The flight attendant stands in
the front of the plane, showing the passengers what to do in the event of an emergency: how to put on the
oxygen masks that would come flopping out of the ceiling, how to exit the plane, how to use the seat cushions
as flotation devices in the event of a water landing. You’ve also seen the response of the passengers to this
talk. No one pays any attention—with the possible exceptions of the first-time fliers, the paranoid, and the very
polite. They’re occupied with adjusting their hand luggage, reading, listening to their headphones, or dozing.
Now imagine that the plane is in mid-flight at 35,000 feet. Suddenly, there’s a sickening drop in altitude,
a loss of cabin pressure, and the pilot announces an emergency. Those oxygen masks are suddenly dangling
in front of your eyes, as the plane rocks violently from side-to-side. The flight attendant stands up, bracing
herself against the seats, and says: “OK, folks, let me give you some safety instructions…”
Who’s paying attention now?
I want to suggest three fairly simple things here:
We often give the Bible the same attention that the passengers give the flight attendant in the first
scenario.
We should read the Bible like the second scenario.
The reason we don’t study the Bible with urgency—or perhaps why we don’t study it at all—is because
we lack a sense of what is at stake.
We either forget, or we ignore, that we have been given a mission by the sovereign Lord of the
universe: we are to be disciples so that we can make disciples. We are called to be followers of
Jesus…and multiply (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:47-48; Acts 1:8). We are called to live as students of Jesus
Christ and be transformed by His grace, so that we might lead others into that same saving and transformative
grace. We are called to engage in work that has eternal consequences, because people are eternal beings,
and where they spend eternity—in hell or in God’s presence—depends on whether they, too, become followers
of Jesus.
If we lose sight of that mission—if we start to think that Christianity consists solely of allowing us to
experience inner peace, or enabling us to have nice friends, or fixing our problems, or helping our kids learn
something called “morality”—then we have missed the point of our entire existence, and we will lose any sense
of urgency to study God’s Word.
Someone once said: “Reading the Bible is not like watching a documentary on sky-diving while sitting
safely in your living room. It’s like getting the how-to talk from the instructor right before you jump out of the
plane.” (OK, I admit: I just made that quote up. And yes, I must have airplanes on the brain.)
What if every day we woke with an urgency to seek the answers to two questions:
1) What does it mean for me today to live fully for Christ?
2) How do I draw others to Christ?
If those are our earnest questions, then we will be eager students of Scripture. We will want to know
how God would have us raise our kids, handle our money, treat our spouses, love our neighbors, and perform
our daily routines. We will want to be prepared for any opportunity that we might have to talk about Christ with
a non-believer. We will want to avoid being caught flat-footed when that non-believer asks us a question about
our faith—not because we want to impress people with our knowledge, but because we want to speak truth
with clarity. We will want to be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the
hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (I Peter 3:15). We will also engage in passionate
prayer, because we know that we can do none of this without the help of God the Holy Spirit. We will wrestle in
prayer against our own sinfulness, we will pray with appropriate desperation for the souls of the unsaved, and
we will pray with fierce joy, knowing that His eternal promises are true.
Let me return to my opening illustration: this plane is indeed plummeting to the earth. This life will not
last forever. We live each day knowing that it could be our earthly last, and with the certainty that someday we
will exhale our last breath and be ushered into eternity.
God’s Word tells us how to live in a way that matters for that eternity.
Listen up.
Your fellow Christian pilgrim,
Joe Harder
St. Paul Evangelical CC sends “Action Packs” to Pakistan for displaced fellow Christians.
FINAL THOUGHT
Don’t let your Easter focus be on filled baskets, but rather on the EMPTY TOMB!!!