pastor’s pen “i have a...
TRANSCRIPT
Pastor’s Pen
“I have a Ticket”
A few weeks ago, I took a train to Washington, D.C. to visit with my brother John, who is under hospice care for kid-
ney failure. I am not planning or writing about him or our visit but the trip there and back. I am hoping to tell you a
mortal story from which I hope you can hear a spiritual story. Here is the legend to translate my mortal words into
something eternal.
I have included a copy of my “trip” ”Ticket” for your consideration. I was forced to pay an upgraded price for a
sleeper because the regular seats were all sold out for the trip north. In our spiritual journey, it is important to know
that there are open seats at God’s table of Grace. Let me close with some railroad lingo. Rather than saying “let us
join together in this spiritual journey”, I blow the whistle and say “All Aboard”.
In Christ’s Name,
Scott Pastor Scott
Mortal Word(s) Spiritual Meaning
Trip Our spiritual journey with God
Ticket (paid for with a credit card) Faith in our Savior, Jesus the Christ
“Retain During Trip” Keep the faith.
“ID required on board” God already knows you fully.
“Refund/Exchange Penalties may apply” There will be a judgement.
Destination is established -Heaven is real.
Metro Card can be added to if needed for trip. -Jesus has fully paid the price.
Kids Corner Bible verse: Micah 5:4 “He shall be peace”
In the Lenten season our wonderful Wednesday classes have been focusing on 40 days of
kindness ,Making Cards for shut-ins, trail mix for youth , gifts for children's hospital , boo-
boo bunnies for child care center and more.
Youth @ St Paul With so much happening in the world with the virus that won’t be named, we are going to focus on our hope in the Easter story! The Gos-pel (good news) brings hope through the life, mission, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus! There is no better news than salvation through faith in our God who took our place on the tree! Not sure exactly what the future holds with schools and major events being closed but with our hope and faith and focus on Christ we will figure it out and come out stronger on the other side! Times like these your friends and family will look to us “Christians" and how we react. Will we remain the light and salt and draw the lost and hurt, or will we hide our light under a bushel? I will keep the youth updated through text, email and Groupme about meetings and events to come.
WINTERJAM 2020 #SALT&LIGHT
Please continue to collect Piggly Wiggly receipts! Melody [email protected]
GIVING DURING DIFFICULT DAYS
Who thought just a month ago would we suspend church services because of a virus none of us knew about during our Christ-
mas celebrations? I know each of you are trying to cope with the challenges of our times and trying to stay safe, trying to find
the necessities where none are, and trying to make sense of all this. As chair of the Finance Committee, I need to ask that you
continue to keep St. Paul in your prayers and try as best you can to keep your normal contributions to our church in mind and
continue to give. Although we are not meeting weekly, the church still has our normal expenses we continue to have and, possi-
bly, additional expenses caused by our attempts to keep safe and keep our community safe. If you normally drop a check in the
offering plate, we ask for you to continue to give in alternative ways.
A couple of years ago we set up online giving for times when you may not be able to make it to a service. This is a great oppor-
tunity to set up online giving. This does not have to be through our portal that you can find on our web page. If you have a
checking or savings account, your bank or credit union, I am sure, offers their online banking. This is the method Sandra and I
plan to give. Online is easy and safe. It is safer than putting a check in the mail.
If you are uncomfortable with online banking, you can mail a check.
We ended 2019 in a great way. For the first time in over 20 years we paid 100% of our apportionments. Our plans for 2020 were
to continue to keep this up and pay on a more regular basis. Because of the restrictions this virus has caused, these plans may
change a little but the plan is to stay on course as much as possible and adjust where needed but plan to have a great year.
It is only with your help can we continue the growth and financial stewardship we need to grow God’s Kingdom here at St. Paul.
Thank you for your considerations.
May God protect you and your family and all the members and community of St. Paull UMC.
Robert Harris
Finance Committee Chair
Please Pray for our Outreach Ministries & Ministers
Rev. Rick Howell, Winthrop Wesley Foundation
Lou Jordan, Francis Marion Wesley Foundation
John and Susan McGee, The CRU Foundation
Rachel Hudson, Youth with a Mission
Non Profit org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit # 48
Saint Paul United Methodist Church 1629 West Palmetto Street Florence, SC 29501 Phone: (843) 669-3134 Fax: (843) 669-5676 Email: [email protected]
Submit News Articles & Pictures for the May Epistle by April 9th to: [email protected] (please indicate EPISTLE in the subject line)
WORSHIP SERVICE HELPERS
We hope to be together for worship
but we will be flexible
April 5, 2020
Liturgist: Michael Grady Greeter: Rodney Cox
Head Ushers: Ross Huggins/Richard Schubert
Monday Counters: Janet Howell/Judy Smith
April 12, 2020
Liturgist: Lou Hanna Greeter: Rene Palles
Head Ushers: Danny Braddock/Johnny Hamer
Monday Counters: Virginia Baird/Pat Willis
April 19, 2020
Liturgist: Don Walter Greeter: Jeannie Adams
Head Usher: Worth Adams Monday Counters: Janet Howell/Judy Smith
April 26, 2020
Liturgist: Mark Lott Greeters: Sandra & Robert Harris
Head Ushers: David Tomlinson/Wayne Catoe
Monday Counters: Gwen Jeffords/Pat Willis
Holy Week & Easter
Worship Schedule
4/5 Palm Sunday Service
10:30 a.m.
4/9 Maundy Thursday Service
6:00 p.m.
4/10 Good Friday Service
7:00 p.m.
4/12 Easter Sunrise Service
6:45 a.m.
4/12 Easter Sunday Service
10:30 a.m.
Cancellations
Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) concerns,
Worship Service, Sunday School,
Wonderful Wednesdays and all other
regular activities have been cancelled.
The church office will be operating on re-duced hours:. See Facebook for details.
We will announce resume dates on the web-site and Facebook when that information is
available.
A monthly publication of Saint Paul United Methodist Church - Florence, South Carolina, 29501
The Epistle April 2020
MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS
Memorials were given in memory of Emery Higgs by:
Beverly & G. Ryan Scholz, Margaret & John Charles, Lisa & Peter Mazzaroni, Miriam Culberson,
SC Governor’s School, Agnes Williams, Joyce & Ellison Messick,Timothy Norwood, Jane & Emerson Gower, Dotty & Wade Dickens, Carol & Glen Neil, Jerry Smith, Jayne & Larry Younginer, Kathy Andrews,
Martha & Mayo Collier, Sandra & Jack Cross, Genie & Christopher Blanton, Vickie & J.K. McKenzie,
Fay & John Homes, Joan & Scott Hardin, David Saleeby, Joy H. Burris,
The Town of Jefferson, SC
Memorials were given in memory of Betty Summerford by:
Sandra Rogers
Memorials were given in memory of Carol Huffman’s daughter, Ann Armstrong by:
Rosemary Ellis, Glen Neil
Memorials were given in memory of Ellen Walsh by:
Jayne & Larry Younginer
Under Special Care
Doreen Copeland Home Gladys Hodges Methodist Manor Sarah McNeil Methodist Manor
Doris Hammond Home Lieze McDaniel Presbyterian Home Irma Tanner Home
Hazel McGee Home
Corners of Your Field
Cleaning-out closets, drawers, garages or spare rooms? Be sure to take the things you are giving away to one of
the House of Hope Mission Marts and tell them you are from Saint Paul UMC. We will receive gift cards to give to
those in need, because of your generosity.
Stewardship Report
Offerings & Tithes Worship
Attendance
Wonderful Wednesday
Week of February 16 $16,051.61 118 $278/80
Week of February 23 $7,166.00 112 $458/90
Week of March 1 $8254.59 150 $165/67
Week of March 8 $9,975.47 141 $283/70
Needed Weekly: $13,000.00
To give online, go to our website www.stpumcflo.org and
click on the give online tab. This takes you to the giving
page.
Click on the give online tab and follow the instructions to
set-up one-time or recurring giving.
STAY CONNECTED
If you have special needs—let us help you. Please e-mail the prayer chain at [email protected] or call
the church office for assistance.