JANUARY 2014

St. Paul’s Lutheran

The Epistle “O come, all ye faithful,

joyful and triumphant.”

We all know the story. The shepherds traveled to Bethlehem and found the little Lord Jesus wrapped

in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. But what I think we often overlook is what the shepherds did

after they left the manger.

“When they saw this, they made known what had been told about this child; and all who heard it were

amazed at what the shepherds told them? (Luke 2:17-18)

The shepherds shared the good news that God is now with us, has become one of us and remains with

us, bringing abundant life to all. As we gather this Christmas to celebrate the birth of the Christ child

and hear the wondrous story, let us join together as a church to proclaim the good new. “Christ the

child was born for you!”

This time also marks the completion of our observance of over 25 years together in Christ as the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are a church that belongs to Christ, and we give thanks

and praise to God for the many ways in which the coming of Jesus has blessed this church and our

world.

It is all too easy for us these days to be constantly aware that this world is fraught with turmoil and

danger. The same was true for the world in which Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus lived. But the

ultimate hope for all people across all times is the hope God gives us in the Word made flesh, our

Lord Immanuel.

“O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!”

Christmas blessings,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton

Presiding Bishop

The Epistle January 2014

Birthdays 1 – David Bengelsdorf 1 –Kenneth Dudley 1 – Douglas Wright 4 – Lee Heselmeyer 4 –Elaine Lucke 4 – Kelly Migl 6 – Carolyn Smith 10 – Phil Crawford 10 - Gail Salewski 12 – Ivy Crawford 14 - Janelle Zimmerhanzel 15 – Beverly Blue 17 – Loren Daniel 18 – James McGee 20 – Brent Daniel 22 – Phyllis Chandler 23 – Jaime Parker 24 – Vernon Caninenberg 24 – Tori Stacey 24 – Lori Viereck 24 – Laney Cherry 27 – William Martin 29 – Virginia Hackfeld 29 – Emily Viereck 30 – Robyn Soileau

Wedding Anniversaries 9 – Andrea & Juan Huerta 19 – Allison & John Parker 25 – Kelly & Kurt Migl 28 – Jeanie & Jim Herrington

Baptismal Anniversaries 1 –Anna Maria Chauviere 1–Floyd Eickenhorst 1–Sherry Eickenhorst 1–Jean Carson 1–Danielle Cordova 1–Mary McGrew 1–James McGee 1– Albert Elizondo 1–Helen Fojt 1–Susan Clanton 1–Phil Crawford 1 –Elaine Lucke 1 –Natalie Seymour 1–Elaine Vircant

1–Kim Holle 1–Gene Zeiss 8–Tanner Carter 10–Russell Holle 10–Garrett Reavis 10–Justin Reavis 10–Dalton Rein 11–Jaime Parker 11–Peyton Parker 12–Brendon Daniel 12—Caroline Lucke 13–Jared Heselmeyer 13–Evan Heselmeyer 19–Ben Eppley 21–Michelle Johnston 22–Marguerite Brueck 23–Kelly Migl 24–Carly Hylton 25–Charlotte Wooten 27–Kevin Gillespie 31–Hoya Ash

Serving Our Country Aaron Adams, Kevin Breaux, Aaron Carlin, Michael Giese,

Paul Gomez, Scott Gubbs, Mike Hobbs, Stephen McWilliams, Cody Morrison

Chris, Koharu, Kylie & Sienna Salo, Cheryl, Brandon, Bryce & Archer Sisco

Kyle Spence, Garrett Threadgill

In Our Prayers

Alice Bosart – health concerns Leon Busby- healing Ben Eppley- health concerns Cindy Eschberger- shut-in Holly Davis & Family- sympathy Barbara Garrett- health concerns Virginia Hackfeld- stroke recovery Gabriel Huerta- recovery Kim Holle & Family- sympathy David Hylton- healing Emily McCoy- health concerns Mike Pate & Harold- sympathy Ruth Porter- support Justin Reavis- support & healing Gail & Willie Salewski- sympathy Bob Steffler- healing

June Tieman- health concerns Kathe Wodahl- health concerns Sharon Zeiss– health concerns

THANK YOU

To Chuck Ohm for his handyman work around the church. You are much appreciated

To everyone who volunteered at the church workday

To Holly Davis for helping with the ASP recital reception

To John Davis for regulating our thermostats

To all who stayed and decorated the Sanctuary for Christmas

To Ben Vircant for being Saint Nich-olas for our After School kids

To Donna Reavis and Chuck Ohm for learning how to use the sound system

To all who brought cookies for the Christmas Nativity Drama reception

To the Bread Bakers, Tellers, Sound System Technician, Committee Members, Choir and Bell Choir Members, Prayer Shawl, Eucharist Ministers, Card Writers, and any volunteers not mentioned

To all those that volunteer as Sun-day morning servers. We couldn’t do it without you

To Leon Busby, Hoya Ash, Sandra & James McGee, Don Eschberger and any others who work keeping our church grounds so beautiful.

ELCA Good Gifts $1685.00 Beehives were purchased by

St. Paul’s this year for the ELCA Good

Gifts program. The hives are distribut-

ed as a part of the churchwide global

outreach mission. Thank you St. Paul’s!

You did a Bee-utiful job!

The Epistle January 2014

Constitution/Bylaws Revision Meeting

Sunday, January 12th @ noon Please meet in the Parlor. Information: Rip Clanton

Thrift Shop 1410 Louisiana St,. Baytown

St. Paul’s is volunteering in the Thrift Shop for the month

of February. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship

Hall. Please talk with Debbie Gillespie for more info.

Baptismal Anniversaries On Sunday, January 12th, we will honor all of

those that were baptized in 2013 with a me-

dallion. These recipients are: Bailee Griffin,

Chase Vasquez, Savanna McMullen, Kalyse

Hospedales, Harold Pate, Dylan Huerta and Allie Stephens.

2014 OFFERING ENVELOPES are in the Fellowship

Hall ready for distribution. Please look for your name and

number located on the top of the offering envelope box.

FYI: Every family is given a number. This number helps

the tellers correctly record your giving. If you forget your

envelope when giving your Sunday offering, please write

your number on your check.

NEW Sunday Adult Bible Study Class Held Sunday mornings at 9am.

Topic: The book of Jeremiah.

Teacher: Mike Pate.

Please meet in the Conference

Room.

NEW Wednesday Evening

Bible Study Class Topic: Ten Key Passages from the Bible

Teacher: Pastor Nancy

Dates: January 15, 22, February 5, 12, 19

Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Please meet in the Parlor.

Potluck

Sunday January 26th Immediately following the worship service.

Please bring a dish to share.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP Saturday, January 11th at 7am.

There will be breakfast, Bible Study & Fellowship

A heartfelt thank you to our family

at St. Paul’s for the Love Offering

this Christmas. What a blessing. We are

overwhelmed at your generosity. Love,

Pastor Nancy, Rick Falconi , Jada Hylton

SAVE THE DATE!

500 Years of Evangelical Reformation 1517-2017 Let’s start planning the celebration

Tri- Synodical Theological Conference January 27 - 29 ● Galveston, TX

Sabbath: Rest. Renew. Create

Pastor Nancy will be attending this conference.

The Epistle January 2014

Women of the ELCA

WELCA NEWS www.txlagulfcoastwomenelca.com

Elizabeth Circle Bible study group

Wednesday, January 8th at 9:30am. Please meet in the

Parlor. All confirmed women are welcome to attend.

For more information talk with Anna Maria Chauviere.

GOLDEN GROUP NEWS (50+ are welcome to attend)

Monthly Luncheon

Antonio’s Italian Restaurant

January 15th at 11:30am

Ben Vircant is the host. Birdie Torberson will be our group leader.

Bus Trip

Giddings, Texas, Depot Capital of Texas Wed., Jan. 22nd. Bus leaves St. Paul's at 7:30. Tour the Fletcher-Schubert House, the Historic Courthouse and the 1st Presbyterian Church. Lunch at Giddings Downtown Restaurant. Lunch is $8.00 a plate with tea. Tour the Union Station Transportation Museum. Prepay: $8.00. Please contact Lorrie at 281-382-9770 to sign up. Also, sign up sheets are in the fellowship hall.

BILINGUAL CLASS Basic English/Spanish. Sundays at 2pm. Taught by Pr. Nancy.

EXERCISE CLASS Mondays at 5:30pm Tai Chi is slow motion exer-cise for better health. Instructor: Peg Swavely.

FOOD PANTRY for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Mathew 25:35-36 LUTHERAN COMMUNITY MATTHEW 25 NEIGHBORS IN

NEED CHALLENGE Our Congregation has been awarded

the opportunity to receive up to $5,000 via a challenge

grant for our Food Pantry. Money donations made and

received between Dec. 1, 2013 and Mar. 31, 2014 will

be supplemented 50 cents for each dollar raised up to

a total grant of $5,000, (i.e. raise $10,000, receive

$5,000 grant). This includes all donations made at the

Food Pantry Kick-Off on Super Bowl Sunday. Please

talk with Lorrie Andrews for more information.

Food Pantry Kick-Off 2014 On Super Bowl Sunday,

February 2nd, the youth

will be standing at the

back of the church to

receive loose change as you exit after the worship

service. The Food Pantry Kick-Off is taking the place of

Souper Bowl of Caring. All money collected will be

given to the Food Pantry and will apply to our Matthew

25 challenge.

PRAYER SHAWLS

& BEREAVEMENT BLANKETS

will be blessed

Sunday, January 26th

CUB SCOUT PACK 183 The Cub Scouts will meet

every Sunday at 2:30pm

in the Fellowship Hall.

INREACH/OUTREACH NEWS Next Comm. Meeting, Monday, January 13th @ 1pm

Inreach/Outreach

The Epistle January 2014

researched by Ben Vircant

WORSHIP & MUSIC NEWS

What is Epiphany? Epiphany means "manifestation." On this day we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi's adoration of the Christ child, Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God's grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst. Excerpt taken from Sundaysandseasons.com

The Sanctuary Handbell Choir is on a Christmas break. They will resume rehearsals Sunday, January

26th at 8:00am. Any adults who want to join the handbell choir, they’re starting with the basics. There is

room for 20 more handbell ringers. Please talk with Rick Falconi if you are interested.

The Sanctuary Choir invites you to sing with them on Sunday morning. There is room for more singers. Use your

voice with this group to the glory of God. Please talk with Rick Falconi if you are interested.

Sign-Up for Worship Leadership We will train you if you’re not already trained. Leadership opportunities:

Assistant Ministers, Ushers, Greeters, Acolytes and Altar Guild. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall. Talk with Pastor Nancy for more information.

St. Paul’s After School Program Christmas Recital & Gift Giving

The Epistle January 2014

St. Paul’s Christmas Nativity Drama

St. Paul’s Christmas Band

St. Paul’s Handbell Choir

The Epistle January 2014

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Church Council Meeting Minutes December 12, 2013

Present: Lorrie Andrews, Tena Burgess, Rip Clanton, Debbie Gillespie, Renee Napier, Sylvia Perry, Debbie Reeder, Becky Rouyer,

Pastor Nancy Simpson, and Ben Vircant.

Opening devotion and prayer led by Becky Rouyer.

November meeting minutes were approved as published.

Pastor’s report – Pastor Nancy reported that Advent services are continuing. She also noted that during the Christmas Eve ser-

vice, the processional will include children ringing sleigh bells. Pastor Nancy signed the re-charter for the Boy Scouts. At this

time, a church contact has not been designated.

Treasurer’s Report – The church audit will be conducted on January 12, 2014, by Mike Post and Vernon Caninenberg.

New Business:

A motion was made and seconded to accept the budget as presented; and to bring this recommendation before the congrega-

tion at the annual congregational meeting in January.

The following policies reviewed and approved with recommended changes:

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Funeral Policy

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Wedding Policy

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Quinceañera Policy

Committee reports for the annual report are due December 13, 2013.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by: Tena Burgess

Memorials & Honorariums October - January 5, 2013

IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY DESIGNATION Nancy Borgfeldt Dennis & Susie Salo Family Choice Rip & Susan Clanton Family Choice James & Sandra McGee Kitchen Fund Ian & Debbie Gillespie Family Choice David & Amy Young Family Choice Jake & Helen Fojt Family Choice Tim & Lois Manier Golden Group Ronnie & Sharon Naiser Family Choice Virginia Mary Pate James & Sandra McGee Kitchen Fund (Michael Pate’s mother) Belinda Khan Charles Ohm Music Fund (Chuck Ohm’s wife) Michael Hamilton James & Sandra McGee Kitchen Fund (Holly Davis’s brother) Wes & Gretchen Bruner Family Choice

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING & Potluck will be held

Sunday, January 26th. The report will

be available for you to view on Sunday,

January 12th. You may pick-up a copy

in the Fellowship Hall or go online at

www.stpaulsbaytown.org

St. Paul’s in pictures…

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church- ELCA

712 Schilling Avenue

Baytown, TX 77520

Tel (281)422-9333 Fax (281)422-3648

Web Site: www.stpaulsbaytown.org

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Called To:

STAFF: Rev. Nancy Simpson, Pastor Rick Falconi, Director of Music Ministries Sharon Mathews, Director of After School Program Jada Hylton, Director of Office Ministries

SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Sunday School — 8:45 a.m. Sunday Worship — 10:30 a.m. Nursery available