Thursday, July 18, 2019

Dear Friends in Christ,Greetings,

Last Sunday in worship, we unpacked Luke 10:25-37, which includes the parable of thegood Samaritan and our call to love, as what it means to live fully with God. KingdomLife is the theme of our 5-part summer series and last weeks message was KingdomLife: Wounded Life.

Kingdom life has changed my life. Years ago, I confess my life was driven by my ownpreferences, comfort, and worldly achievements but I began to open up to the challenge,the beauty, and the freedom of Kingdom Life as my life purpose. This eventuallysurfaced in a call to pastoral ministry, and is my motivation each day.

I also know that I’m human and I miss opportunities to fully live this way. Yet, I trust inthis love of God to heal wounds, to transform our minds and our lives. I trust God is goingto continue to show up, in my life as your pastor, in my family, in this church here for thenext 180 years (since we're celebrating being a congregation for that long already!), andin this world until the end of the age!

Last Sunday, July 14th, was a full day at St. Paul’s. We commissioned missioners who willsoon be crossing community lines into the Memphis community and Appalachia,supported our mission partnership with Matthew 25 in their community & relationshipbuilding work in Cedar Rapids, held 4 worship services, 3 in English, 1 in Africanlanguages. We hosted a concert of prophetic spoken word and inspiring music,welcomed new children to Vacation Bible School, and hosted weekly Hispanic worship. We have a rich Kingdom Life story here just waiting to be fully embraced with passion,joy, and much love! Aren’t we grateful for the people and this place that shelters andnurtures the potential of our gathering, forming, sending...all by the grace of God?

Is this the story of God's goodness that you share with others when you think about yourlife and your church?

Join me, Pastor Jonathan, Pastor Daniel, and your church leaders to be motivated more by

kingdom love and life, rather than lingering in something less than that.. to be motivatedto see our neighbor, stopping and noticing. Take hold of a hand in care and compassion.

Oh, that we will stand together; black, brown, white, rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight.I see it in a church like ours. Can you?

...where this love will overflow into the world.

...where we have new friendships with someone else who has wounds, and, who also haslove and life to share.

Oh, dear neighbors, that we would experience fruits of Kingdom Life through love’smotivation!

Risk love for healing, in joy of kingdom life.

Pastor Sherrie

Adults

Our VBS was a huge success! We are proud to say we served 39 children from across allour ministries and we even welcomed some visitors for the first time. The kids enjoyed 4days of meals, fellowship, games, crafts, and music and movement. Our hearts our fullfrom sharing our love of Jesus and witnessing his work over the last few days. A specialthank you to all our wonderful volunteers. We could not have done it without your hardwork and dedication.

Thank you! Julie Hanlin

Goal Surpassed!!!The team of 7 people headed to Virginia on an A.S.P. (Appalachia Service Project) missiontrip would like to give a huge THANK YOU to our St Paul's family. We were able to raise$2,200 toward our mission trip. We can't wait to get back and tell you all about it. LeeAnn Dielschneider won and will not be doing any dishes or cleaning toilets. ColtonValenta lost - so look forward to seeing him in a dress on August 18th.

Kingdom Life

Sermon SeriesIt’s our summer series designed tohelp us see a picture of what kingdomlife looks like and what holds us backfrom experiencing it! Though we mayfeel rejected, wounded, distracted,locked up, or foolish, is there hope inliving a kingdom way of life? You’reinvited into this series, focusing onLuke’s gospel Chapters 10 -12, where

we’ll paint pictures of Kingdom Life, in the midst of this summer’s season of reflection,rest, and renewal.

Join Us August 7 forthe Viewing of ParisParisto Pittsburghto PittsburghYour “Be Healthy. Be Green.”committee is inviting you and yourfamily and friends to join us for aspecial showing of the documentaryfilm, Paris to Pittsburgh, created byNational Geographic. The film will be shown August 7th at 7:00 pm in the Wesley Center(first floor) with a time for discussion following. A nursery will be available, and schoolage children will be offered age-appropriate activities with Kristin Simon in Room117. Please let us know if you will be bringing your children, so we can planaccordingly. Call the church office at 363-2058.

Climate change is the issue of our time. This important documentary is a serious look atthe effects of climate change and the injustices that result from our actions. The filmlooks at the changes in our society, featuring segments on Puerto Rico, California,Florida, New Jersey, and even our Cedar Rapids flood. You can feel proud to learn howIowa is recognized nationally for leading in wind and solar energy alternatives!Join us for this important evening. Our fragile planet thanks you!!

Be Healthy. Be Green. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Event Flyer

All Together Lunch!Let’s break bread together, and some other foods too! We are in need of a small group ofpeople who would help with simple and tasty lunch plans for these two Sundays.

August 11: Traditional American Lunch (what should it be?)August 18: Traditional African Lunch ( being planned and prepared by some of our

African members)

Please contact Pastor Sherrie to lend your hand in planning, preparing, serving, or clean-up!

All Together August(August 11, 18, & 25)Mark your calendar for a festiveAugust with all of us worshipingtogether at 11:00-12:15 in theSanctuary! There will be NO 8:15 am,9:00 am, 11:30 am, or 12:00 pmservices on August 11, 18, and 25.Instead let’s find one another

gathered all in one place at one time, for worship and a light lunch option following eachservice.

NeighborhoodMealsFree meals will be served throughAugust 23 (except July 4) to anyonewho is hungry Monday throughFriday from 12:00-1:00 pm. NMEPprovides meals to families, orsingles.

Lemonade StandThursdaysSt. Paul's Lemonade stand beginsJune 13 from 1:00-4:00 pm near the3rd Avenue entrance. Deliciouslemonade, cookies, and treats forpets will be served every Thursday inJune, July, and August.

New Children's Books for the LibrarySt. Paul’s Library is delighted to announce that ten new children’s books have beenreceived thanks to a generous donation from Cindy Lundine. The new books focus onpositivity, sharing, inspiration and inclusiveness. One of the new selections is about achild with autism and how he makes his first friend at school. Another book highlightsthe challenges of an immigrant girl.

To read about five of these new children’s books in the library, click here. HappyReading!

Mark Your Calendar for Dr. McFeeSaturday, October 12th is the day that we will be hosting Dr. Marcia McFee, a nationallyknown worship leader and consultant! She will be leading us and others in a workshopinspiring us in creating meaningful and memorable worship services. This workshop willbe open to ALL members of St. Paul’s and other churches in the area. We hope you’ll planto be a part of this motivational, fun, and creative day.

Visit our Facebook Page

African Nationals

Shifting Ground, July 27Shifting Ground is an multicultural exhibit/celebration ofimmigrant stories told in clay. Some of our own African Nationalchurch members and friends will be participating in this week-longprogram conducted at St. Paul’s by the Iowa Ceramic Center andvisiting artists from Portugal. A concluding celebration will be heldSaturday, July 27th from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Cherry Building (nextto NewBo Market) Cherry Center Place, 320 11th Avenue SE, CedarRapids. Bring your dancing shoes and taste buds to celebrateShifting Ground storytelling and art making workshops with recentHispanic and Central/East African immigrants.https://www.iowaceramicscenter.org/shifting-ground

Arts Ministry & Music

All-Together ChoirFor Sundays August 11, 18 & 25, there will be an All-Together Choir. Fidel Taylor, AfricanNationals Choir Director and Mark Baumann, Coordinator of Music Ministries, will teachsongs that can be sung in English, Swahili and perhaps other languages for our worshipthose weeks. Anyone, all ages, is welcome to sing – whether you regularly sing in a choiror not. Starting Sunday, July 21, there will be rehearsals, 11:30 am-12:00 pm in the choirrehearsal room. Rehearsals will continue on Sundays, July 28 and August 4. There will berehearsal and warm-up time on Sundays, August 11, 18 and 25 before worship. (The timewill be determined later). All are invited and welcome!

St. Paul's String EnsembleMark Baumann is assembling all students and adults who play violin, viola or cello toplay during worship on Sunday, August 4. Music is now available to practice. There willbe a rehearsal on Wednesday evening, July 31, at 6:30 pm at the church. You are stillwelcome to play if you cannot make rehearsal that evening. Arrangements can be madeto practice with Mark and there will be a short rehearsal on Sunday, August 4, before9:00 am worship. Any friends are welcome to come and play as well. Contact Mark(mmbaumann@msn.com) to sign-up and get music.

Care, Serve, & Outreach

School Supply Sales Are On!Help us provide necessary supplies for children of ourcongregation to start school with a filled backpack! Weare blessed to have 75 African National school agechildren & youth, and we want to help them start schoolwith their supplies in hand.

To insure we have what we need for distribution to the children & youth on August 18,we are asking that you bring donated supplies to the church office by Sunday, August4. We will then purchase other items from the funds you have generously given.

A list of the many items needed, click link below. Thank you so much from yourIngathering Committee!

School Supply List

July 15 the last day that St. Paul's volunteered to clean the Cedar Rapids Kernels Ball

Park.

Mary Horn, RN, St. Paul's Parish Nurse, writes articles to share pertinent and timelyhealth topics on nutritional, mental, emotional, spiritual, and information on a wide-range of health topics.

Read Health Notes

Children & Youth

Gathering, Forming, Serving, & FundraisingOpportunities for All

Sunday, July 21 7:30 am—Sr. High Mission Trip leaves for Memphis Mission tripfrom church! Keep folks in your prayers throughout the week!NO TGIW July 24 due to Senior High Mission TripJuly 30 at noon Kool Kool Luncheon for UMW—come have lunch and share yourmission stories with United Methodist Women.August 5--End of Summer Celebration--Day Trip to Lost Island RSVP by Monday,July 31 to Becca, co-trip with Marion UMC, Mt. Vernon UMC, Shueyville UMC, andCenter Point UMC.Safe Sanctuary Policy Training ll leaders and parents working with Youth andChildrenSafe Sanctuary Policy. This is extremely important training for anyone whois working with our children and youth at St. Paul’s. We will meet at 6pm in the ArtSpace.August 25 10:00 am in Wesley Center: Mission Trip Report/Share for Club 5/6,Mid-High Mission, and Senior High Mission trips. Join other youth and leaders toshare stories and faith from your mission experiences this summer!First TGIW September 11—Back-to-School Bash with cook-out and comedianJaron Myers! Invite friends and new folks to join you! Check out his website for ataste of what he does: https://jaronmyers.com/First Sunday Morning Classes September 15 for all ages!

UMW

Kool KoolLuncheon, July 30Kool Kool Luncheon will be held on,July 30 at 12:00 pm at Lowe Park,Hickory Room (4500 N. 10th St.,Marion). You won’t want to missthis celebration of our youth inmission, and fundraiser for futureyouth mission projects. R.S.V.P tochurch office by July 26th, 363-

2058, or office@stpaulsumc.org.

Women's Retreat,August 23-25St. Paul’s UMW invites all womento join us for a spiritual retreat inClear Lake, Iowa, August 23-25.Enjoy the fellowship of otherwomen, as well as the beauty andserenity of Clear Lake, as we stayin the church cabin located stepsfrom the lake. Rev. Joan Fumetti

will lead us in experiencing the wonder and beauty of God’s creation with herpresentation titled “Kinship With Creation” Sign up by August 9 in the church office witha retreat fee of $20 due at registration.

These Hot Days areGreat for GoingThrough Items forThrift MartDrop offs will be starting Saturday,August 10, 17, 24, 31 from 8:30-10:30 am at the 2nd Ave. canopydrive. We will also have drop offson Mondays August 12, 19, and 28

and September 9 from 8:30-10:30 am and we will sort those items at that time intodepartments in preparation for the sale on Tuesday, September 17, 9:00 am-5:00 pm andWednesday, September 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm with the bag sale at 11:00 am. We will havea night drop off on Wednesday, September 4, from 5:30-7:30 pm. Someone will be at thedoor to help you unload your items.

Prayers

Stephen Ministers

Stephen Ministers, wearing the bluebadge, are glad to talk privately withanyone going through a rough time.

Continued healing and grace for:Pat Jacobson (Stan)Norm Kool (Jackie)Vestina BuchumiTiffani Schneekloth (L.J. & Holli’sdaughter)Christi Smeed (Bill)Laverne Tucker (Robin Tucker’smother)Gloria Hammond (Tom Young’ssister)Joyce Vick (Steven)LaNel JacobsTom & Susan TitusTim Glenn (Laverna Hanson's son)Keri CollinsMary Brockmeyer (Lloyd)Denise Feltes (Ronald)Patrick Hartwell (Heather Moore’sbrother)Colleen LewisBetty OpsahlMichael WilkinsonMarti & Spence Grayson (DaveMahlke’s sister and brother-in-law)Linda JandikJoe TrecekJeffrey Casey (Judy)Sally & Tom YoungEdie NekolaJoel Oxenford (Elaine Oxenford’sson)Elias MacumiRoger Simon (Kristin Simon'sbrother)Jim Struve (Sandra)John MatthewsGrace MareshRena BrodtBenjamin Van Winkle (JulieGladfelder’s grandson)Gary Hamond (Tom Young’s brother-in-law)Kristen Morlan (Kathleen Baker’sdaughter)

Beulah Cave (Angela Stookey’sniece)Quinn Anton Jensen (Nancy & BriceAntonJensen’s son)Char O’BrienSusan Moore (Lee Moore’s sister)Jody SloanJoe Boots (Chris and Mike Crilley'srelative)Tom Smeed (Bill’s father)Barb Zahradnik (Bob)Cheri Young (Gene & Carrie Young’sdaughter)Patricia Hartwell (Heather Moore’smother)Dianne Berrett (Bob)Linda HadleyJustin Ilg (Sherrie & Larry Ilg’s son)Angela ShultzRhonda ViktoraCarrie Cummins (Jamie’s daughterand Steve and Kathy Davis’granddaughter)Jim & Rose MildenRaine Allen (Dixie & Roger Allen’sgranddaughter)Charman Banks (John)James WaheNora Mae VanceSandy Pingel (Gloria Ford’s daughter)Mina Arbore (John)John McQuilkin (Jean Kwader’sfather)Ryan VickPam AnslyKris Yahn (Steve)

Memorial prayers for the families andfriends of:

Tad Tadlock (Carla)Dorris HattCarol BurrAudrey Swalley

View Worship Times

Worship is for the whole family. While childcare is available in our nursery for allSunday morning services, we welcome children of all ages at all worship services.

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