The Apostle from St. Paul
The Monthly Newsletter for April 2015
www.stpaullakeland.com
901-387-0007
Worship Services: 9:00 and 11:00
Coffee Fellowship in Fellowship Hall 9:45
Promiseland (with hourly components) in session 9-12
Sunday School: 10:00
A Message from the Pastor
It was June 18, 1815, the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon was leading his army against the
allied forces of British, Dutch and German troops. Without the convenience of modern
technology, the people of England depended upon a system of semaphore signals to hear news of
the battle. One of the relay stations for the signaling system was at the tower of Winchester
Cathedral.
Late in the afternoon, a signal came forth from the tower: “W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N---D-EF-E-A-T-E-D.” As the message was being relayed; a fog moved into the area making it difficult
to see the signal. But the message that was seen traveled quickly through the countryside and to
the cities. People were sad and depressed to hear their country had lost the war. A sense of gloom
and despair settled over the country like the fog that had moved in and obscured the message.
Then suddenly the winds changed, the fog lifted and two more words were seen so that the whole
message could be read: W-E-L-L-I-N-G---D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D---T-H-E---E-N-E-M-Y.” Two
simple words changed the whole meaning of the message and the lives of those concerned.
The same can be said about Easter. Just two simple words, CHRIST
AROSE, have changed the story and the future for all of humanity. When once, all of humanity
felt defeated by sin; now each and every person can have peace and joy because Christ has closed
the door on our sins through his death; and opened the door to abundant and eternal life through
his resurrection. May those two simple words CHRIST AROSE bring new meaning and joy to
your life this Easter and always.
Peace and grace,
Michael Morris
April Communion Offering ~ Lenten World Hunger
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat..." Matthew 25:35
Be sure and bring your Lenten World Hunger calendar on Easter Sunday. If you did not pick up a
calendar for Lent you can give to World Hunger with your communion offering. We can end
hunger in our time.
Church Family,
It is my great privilege to announce that we will be making our third payment to reduce
our debt of $1,601,000 on May 17, 2015. We are asking church members to identify
their bonds. If you are a bond holder with a maturity date in 2026, or 2027 please
contact Susan Holmes at 387-0007 or me at 266-3267 with your bond information by
April 10, 2015. Thank you all so much for your generous contributions to reduce our
debt.
Grace and Peace,
Karen Udovich
Sound System Policy
As a reminder, please remember to inform the church office if you need to have
use of the sound system in the fellowship hall or sanctuary. The church is
happy to make the sound system available for use. However, if you wish to have
the sound system for your church use, the church office needs advanced notice
to insure that the system is set up properly. If you do not contact the church
office prior to your event, please refrain from using the sound system. The
sound systems are quite delicate and heavily used by
several ministries. Unauthorized use of the sound systems has interfered with
the ministries here at St Paul and continues to be a problem. Please refrain
from unauthorized use of the church’s sound equipment. If you have
any questions, please contact the church office.
Seder Meal
Again this year the youth group will lead a Messianic Haggadah celebration
along with a meal on Maundy Thursday April 2nd. In addition to the Seder
Plate which includes an egg, bitter herbs, matzot, and Charoset; the youth will
be serving fried chicken for dinner. Even if you don’t typically come to the
Wednesday Night Dinners we hope you will join us for this special occasion. The
meal will begin at 5:30 and cost $5 for Adults, $3 for children.
Ruth Circle Meeting
The Ruth Circle will meet next Friday, April 3 at 9:30 am at the church. Mary
Harris will lead us as we continue our study of How Is It With Your Soul?
Jo Ann Kruger will provide refreshments, and Anna Barker will provide a devotion.
All ladies are welcome to attend! Our April mission project will be the UMNC's
"Shower of Blessings" for Awareness Day. Items needed are: paper towels, copy
paper and other paper products, and office supplies such as paper clips, staples,
pens, pencils, legal pads, post its, etc. Please bring one or more items if you are able.
Easter Egg Hunt
It’s that time of year again. Time for the St. Paul’s Easter Egg Hunt! Please join
us Saturday, April 4th from 2-4. Children ages birth – 5th grades are welcome to
hunt eggs at 3:00. There will also be crafts, farm animals, prizes and more!!
Don’t miss out! Mark your calendar today!!!
United Methodist Men
All men are invited to join us at Buffalo Wild Wings for a fun gathering on April 9th
5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Make plans to drop in for good food and fellowship. If you
have any questions contact Thomas Trieschman at 901-568-2777 or
trieschman1234@att.net.
Susanna Circle
For our April meeting, we will take a field trip to Methodist Hospice House on
Quince on Monday, April 13. We will tour the house; then go to P.F. Chang's for
dinner. If you wish to carpool, please meet at the church prior to 6:15 pm, as we will
depart from the church promptly at 6:15 pm. Our tour begins at 6:45 and will last
approximately 45 minutes. We'll depart from there for P.F. Chang's. All are
welcome.
Clean Up Day
Make plans to join us as we clean up around the church on April 25th
starting at 8 am. Bring garden tools and a willing spirit of service.
Promiseland News
I have been enjoying the weeks leading up to Easter with the children. They amaze me every
week with their knowledge. I can’t wait to celebrate Easter with them this Sunday by making
Resurrection Rolls!
This month the children will learn that Jesus is with me now and always. The stories we will be
coving will be Doubting Thomas, Breakfast on the Beach and the Great Commission.
Bible Verse for April is: “But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the
Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.” John 20:31.
KWAM
The KWAM kids will be meeting Sunday, April 26th from 4:00-5:30 in the
Fellowship Hall.
Volunteers Needed for VBS 2015
Summer is fast approaching. You know what that means?! You better sign-up fast to help with
VBS or your FavOrite volunteer position at VBS may be taken!! VBS is June 15th-18th from
5:45-8:30. If you would like to help in any way please let me know so I can sign you up! We
need help with decorating, Crew leaders, station leaders, registration and so much more! Don’t
know what spot would be right for you? Come see me and I will help you figure that out! You
can reach me by email at jillk72@bellsouth.net or stop by Promiseland Sunday morning.
VBS 2015- G-Force
Vacation Bible School is coming...June 15th-18thfrom 5:45-8:30.
Be
prepared to be a part of it! Online registration and/or forms will be out soon.
We welcome children ages 4 yrs. - 5th grade.
Preschool Press
The preschool is currently registering for the 2015-2016 school year. We have
openings in most of the classrooms, so please call 372-7808 for more information.
There are also openings in the summer program which is for toddlers – 5th graders.
Ms. Renee is the Camp Director and would love to talk to you about the program.
There will also be a couple of teacher openings starting in August. If you are
looking for a fun, exciting job working with wonderful children and their families
contact Daina Aldrich at 372-7808 to apply.
SP Y
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April News
2015 Confirmation Class is still underway
We have 7 confirmands this year; Bekah Dougan, Brook Goodrich, Kristin Stewart, Nick Dickenson, Sam
Goodrich, Shelby Udovich, and Wesley Burkhead. They will be attending a conformation retreat on
March 6th – 8th at Wesley Foundation. We ask that you keep these young people, their mentors and
the leaders in your prayers during this weekend retreat. Confirmation Sunday
will be May 17th; and
the Confirmation Class will also be assisting with Communion on May 3 rd.
Thursday April 2 n d
The youth will be hosting our annual
Messianic Seder Celebration
The Haggadah or Telling of the Passover Story
5:30 – 7:00 pm
In the Fellowship Hall
The dinner will be a Fried Chicken Dinner
For $5 per adult and $3 per child ($15 family max)
Youth Fundraisers
Window-Cling Design Contest
We collect $169.73 from the voting on the Window Cling
Designs. The winning design has been sent to Uprinting.com
to create a 3”x3” decal that the youth will be selling for
$5 each. Decal/Window Clings will be available in the
coming weeks.
Egged Fundraiser – Thank you to all who hosted someone’s yard to
be EGGED. The youth raised $120 during this fundraiser and voted to use
this money to make improvements on the Youth Lounge
Youth Mission Projects
April 24 & 25 – 30 Hour Famine
The youth working towards raising money to combat hunger through a youth
program under World Vision call 30 Hour Famine. After raising money the youth
participate in a 30 hour fast to learn more about the effects of real hunger felt by
children all over the world. If you would like to join them by donating money to this
cause, you can visit their team fundraising page at
http://youth.worldvision.org/team/spyouth or ask a youth near you.
Coming Soon
We are hoping to send some, if not all, of our youth to Youth Annual Conference in
Jackson TN, May 29th – 31st, the weekend before Annual Conference. This is the first
Youth Conference in over 5 years. In addition to worship services, a mission project,
and fellowship together with other youth in the Memphis Conference; the Youth
attending this retreat will also help lead the opening service for Annual Conference.
Please contact Shannon if you would like to help support the youth in any way so
that they can attend. (i.e. drivers, chaperons, scholarships, or prayers)
BigStuf 2015 - July 10th – 16th
25 youth and adults will be attending BigStuf Camp in Panama City Beach this
summer. This is an eagerly anticipated Spiritual Retreat, which our youth have been
looking forward to for several years. They will be raising money throughout this
spring and summer to help offset their costs for this trip. We hope that you will be in
prayer for both their physical well-being and spiritual growth throughout this trip.
Youth Weekly Schedule
Sunday
Jr. & Sr. High Sunday School @ 10:00am (Youth Lounge)
Youth Fellowship @ 4:00 – 6:00 pm (Youth Lounge)
Youth Music – 3rd Sundays@ 3:00- 4:00 (Sanctuary)
Meal & Game Night 2nd Sundays @ 4:00 – 7:00 pm (Fellowship Hall & Y. Lounge)
Wednesday’s - during Lent
Wednesday Night Dinner (Church Wide) @ 5:30pm
Youth Studies @ 6:30 pm (Jr High - Youth Lounge / Sr High – Rm 2)
For questions about any of the above Youth Ministry items please feel free to contact Shannon Pryor @
spryor@stpaul-lakeland.org (office) 387-0007 ext. 318 or (cell) - 463-688.
SPORTS NEWS
We are seeking a SOCCER COACH for our U6 team (5 yr olds). This
is a wonderful group to work with!! Games will be starting next
week and we desperately need someone to volunteer. Please call
Julie Tolbert at 825-5013.
T-ball and coach pitch baseball registration has begun and will
end on April 9th. Get your player registered today! Contact
Julie Tolbert for more information.
STEWARDSHIP
Actual Year to Date Financial Reporting for period ending March 29, 2015:
This is preliminary, before all adjustments made:
YTD offering
Other Income
Less: Expenses
YTD net loss
$130,349
$ 8,800
($144,961)
($ 5,812)
Capital Campaign:
Total pledged to date: $487,115 from 87 pledge cards.
Year 2014-current
Capital Campaign Funds Received:
$182,833
Less: Capital Campaign Expenses:
($38,925)
Less: Bond Payment:
($113,580)
Less: Debt Payment fees:
($260)
Net Funds Available for Next Bond Payment:
$30,068
Regular Weekly Schedule
Sundays:
9:00 am
9:00 am
9:00 am
9:45 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm
4:00 pm
Contemporary Worship ~ Sanctuary
Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall
Disciple III ~ Rm. 6
Coffee Fellowship ~ Fellowship Hall
Youth and Adult Sunday School
Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall
Traditional Worship ~ Sanctuary
Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall
Prayer Opportunity ~ Sanctuary Conf. Rm.
Youth Fellowship ~ Youth Lounge
Weekdays
8:30 am
Walking Group ~ Wolfchase Mall
Mondays
9:00 am
7:00 pm
Preschool ~ Education Building
Boy Scouts ~ Education Building
Tuesday
9:00 am
7:00 pm
Preschool ~ Education Building
Cub Scouts ~ Education Building
Wednesday
9:30 am
9:30 am
5:30 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
Mom’s Bible Study ~ Fellowship Class
Disciple IV ~ Rm. 2
Wednesday Night Dinner
Wednesday Night Studies
Choir Practice
Thursday
9:00 am
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
Preschool ~ Education Building
Girl Scouts
Contemporary Band Practice
Upcoming Meetings and Special Events
Thursday, April 2
5:30 pm
7:30 pm
Seder Meal ~ Fellowship Hall
Maundy Thursday Service ~ Sanc.
Friday, April 3
9:30 pm
Ruth Circle ~ Fellowship Hall
Saturday, April 4
2:00 am
Easter Egg Hunt ~ Fellowship Hall/Outside
Sunday, April 5
1:00 pm
Soccer Practice ~ St. Paul soccer field
Sunday, April 12
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
Soccer Practice ~ St. Paul soccer field
Creative Connection ~ Fellowship Class
Monday, April 13
6:30 pm
Susanna Circle ~ Room 2
Sunday, April 19
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
Visitors Luncheon ~ Fellowship Hall
Soccer Practice ~ St. Paul soccer field
Saturday, April 25
8:00 am
Spring Clean Up
Sunday, April 26
1:00 pm
Soccer Practice ~ St. Paul soccer field
Church Staff
Church Office ~ 901-387-0007
After Hours Phone Number:
Michael Morris, 901-386-2578
Aldrich, Daina - Director of Preschool
daldrich@stpaul-lakeland.org
Dougan, Will - Director of Worship & Music
wdougan@stpaul-lakeland.org
Geno, Regina – Pianist
ticatah104@aol.com
Goldsmith, Gary – Youth Music Director
garygoldsmith@bellsouth.net
Hamilton, Vickie - Office Administrator
vhamilton@stpaul-lakeland.org
Holmes, Susan- Finance Administrator
sholmes@stpaul-lakeland.org
James, Lanee’ – Church Sexton
Laneejames1@yahoo.com
Kirk, Jill - Director of Children’s Ministries
jillk72@bellsouth.net
Morris, Mike – Pastor
mmorris@stpaul-lakeland.org
Pryor, Shannon-Youth Pastor
spryor@stpaul-lakeland.org
Ytzen, Nancy – Director of Nursery Ministries
nytzen@bellsouth.net