The Weekly Epistle

THOSE SICK AND HOSPITALIZED:

Brenda Bowers, Louise Harkey,

Shirley Hoosier, James Monday, Pam Peeler,

Larry Watson, Polly Webb, and Kim Wilhelm

The CHANCEL GREENERY are given to the Glory of God in loving honor of our

brothers and sisters in Christ who serve at St. Paul's by the Altar Guild.

OUR LOVE AND SYMPATHY is extended to

Stan McConnell and Family on the death of

Karen McConnell.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES, MARCH 22:

GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY

HANDBELL CHOIR AT 9:00 A.M.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR (K-5TH) IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WORSHIP.

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR KAREN MCCONNELL AT 3:00 P.M.

NO GRADE/MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH MEETINGS TODAY.

NO MEN’S OR #SWAG/YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSAL TODAY.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES:

Meals on Wheels deliveries this week.

PiYo Class (Fellowship Hall)…………………………………………….….….Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Jill Earnhardt, RN, Parish Nurse is in the office Tuesday and Thursday this week.

Katie Curlee, Director of Youth Ministries, is in the office Tuesday - Friday.

Staff meeting (Counting Room)…………………………….……………….….Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.

Girl Scouts……………………………………………………………………...Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINE is Wednesday at 10 00 a.m.

Wednesday Lenten Services (Sanctuary)………………........Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Lenten Evening Supper (Potato Bar/Salad served in the Fellowship Hall)..Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Senior Choir………………………………………………………………...Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.

Senior Choir……………………………………………….…………………..Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Senior Choir (dress rehearsal)……………………………………..………….Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

St. Paul’s seeks to commune anyone 4th grade and higher who has not yet been instructed in First

Communion Instruction on Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-12 noon in the Chapel.

Heroes Behind the Badge Fundraiser (Fellowship Hall)…………………….Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

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HEROES BEHIND THE BADGE

SPAGHETTI FUNDRAISER Alternate date due to inclement weather:

Saturday, March 28

at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

$5 per person

Heroes Behind the Badge Spaghetti Fundraiser

will be held on Saturday, March 28, in the

Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m. Following supper

an acclaimed documentary Heroes Behind The

Badge (www.heroesbehindthebadge.com) will

be presented. The film was released in the fall

of 2012 featuring some of the brave men and

women who put their lives on the line and

survived, and those who paid the ultimate

sacrifice.

The cost is $5 per person with a donation jar

available for love offerings. Tickets can be

purchased and donations can be made by going

o n l i n e t o E v e n t b r i t e ( h t t p s : / /

www.eventbrite.com) and searching Aaron

Moore’s bike2dc fundraiser. Money will go

towards Modern City Entertainment and Aaron

Moore’s support for Law Enforcement 4 day

500 mile bicycle ride to Washington DC from

the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

for National Police Week and in remembrance

of fallen officers (bike2dc.com).

You can contact Aaron by email at

pdk9nero@aol.com or by phone at 704-239-

7713.

NEXT SUNDAY’S ACTIVITIES,

MARCH 29:

PALM SUNDAY

THE LENTEN SKETCHES CANTATA

AT 10:30 A.M.

NO CHOIR PRACTICES NEXT SUNDAY.

STEWARDSHIP STATISTICS

Sunday School Attendance (3/15)………………...99

Sunday Worship Attendance (3/15)…………..…228

General Fund Offering Received (3/15)……...$5,861

Other Offering Received (3/15)…………..$2,845.50

Sound System Fund Received (3/15)…………..$100

Wednesday Lenten Services Attendance (3/18)…107

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

PORT-A-PIT CHICKEN FUNDRAISER is a once-a-year Event! This year the

fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, March 31, from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the

Civic Center. For $8.00 you get a ½ chicken, slaw, potato salad, roll, and dessert.

Tickets are available from St. Paul's Social Ministry Committee (Eric Barringer,

Ben Bernhardt, Wilbur Canup, Keith and Summer Deal, Brian Goodman, Phil Redding, Wendy Stutts,

and Nathaniel Wilhelm). Thank you!

ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES

St. Paul's Scouts donated to the ROWAN

HELPING MINISTRIES 17 pounds for the

month of January. Thank you all for your con-

tinued support and ministry!

RHM item for March is: CANNED/DRIED

SOUP though any item donated is accepted. The

shelves are bare and they could use our assis-

tance in filling them.

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2015 CRUISE ‘N BARBECUE

DOUBLE the LOVE!

This year we dedicate the proceeds of the Cruise 'n

Barbecue to Louise Harkey and Pam Peeler, both of

whom are courageously fighting cancer. The St. Paul's

family is not dividing our attention, but multiplying the

love we show through this wonderful event!

RED CROSS BONE MARROW REGISTRY

Our own Chloe Monroe who benefitted from a

bone marrow transplant and has now returned to

school at UNC is an inspiration and example of

how the Red Cross Bone Marrow Registry saves

lives.

Once again this year, a Red Cross bone

marrow registry and screening will be held from

11:00 a.m.-2:00 pm in conjunction with the April

25th Cruise 'n Barbecue.

We thank God for Chloe’s success, and look

forward to repeating this event in her honor, so

that others may receive this gift of life!

DOUBLE the ICE CREAM!

Not only are we doubling the love, we are doubling

the ice cream! Due to popular demand we will have

not one but two giant ice cream freezers operating

this year. In addition, the concession tents are being

expanded to include homemade cake to go with that

delicious ice cream. What could be better than that?!

Special thanks to D.W. and Judi Honbarger, and

Chris Thomas for donating and operating their giant

ice cream freezers for the event!

DOUBLE the AWARDS!

This year’s Cruise ‘n Barbecue will include 20

Crowd’s favorite awards, twice as many as in the

past. In addition to the 20 Crowd Favorites, First,

Second and Third place award winners will be

selected by judges with the recipients receiving

special trophies. Also new this year there will be a

Kid’s Favorite Award by vote of the kids present

(under age 16) – this will be the only award for

which additional ballots will be sold as a fundraiser.

RAFFLE PRIZES

The raffles are just one of the favorite parts of

St. Paul’s Cruise ‘n Barbecue – and no wonder,

considering the number and quality of the prizes

that the St. Paul’s family makes available. We

have awesome prizes every year and look

forward to seeing what will be available again

this year! Donations of Raffle or door prizes

may be dropped off in the counting room –

please attach the form that will be available on

the table, so we know the contributor and the

appropriate thanks and acknowledgements can

be sent. THANK YOU for your help!

Cruise ‘n Barbecue Volunteer’s

Meeting – April 23rd

All Cruise ‘n Barbecue volunteers please

attend a special planning meeting and pre-event

celebration in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 pm on

Thursday, April 23rd. There will be an ice cream

and cake bar, briefings on Saturday’s activities

and assignments, and T-shirts will be distributed.

April 25th will be a great day – THANK YOU

for your dedication and help that makes the

Cruise ‘n Barbecue possible!

Spread the word about St. Paul’s Cruise ‘n

Barbecue by liking and sharing our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/stpaulscruisenbarbecue

Cruise ‘n Barbecue flyer/registration forms are

available on a table in the counting room. Feel free to

take as many as you need to share with friends.

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HOLY WEEK

PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 29 10:30 a.m.

On the sixth Sunday of Lent we commemorate Jesus' triumphal

entry into Jerusalem. Throngs of crowds, already visiting the city to

celebrate the Passover, waved palm branches and proclaimed Jesus as

the messianic king - that is, the descendant of King David who would

restore the Kingdom of Israel.

Palm Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday to mark the

beginning of Holy Week and Jesus' final journey to the cross. Though

today the word “passion” has a more general meaning, the English word

traces its roots to the Latin word passus, “to suffer.”

The celebratory nature of Palm Sunday is tempered by the realization that God's plan is coming to

fruition. Passion Sunday provides an opportunity to ponder the suffering and death of Jesus, so that we

can better appreciate the joy of the Easter (resurrection) celebration. In this context it is not unusual for

the entire Gospel lesson to consist of the complete Passion text (Matthew 26:1-27:66, Mark 14:1-15:47,

Luke 22:1-23:56, and John 18:1-19:42).

Everyone will gather in front of the church on PALM SUNDAY and process in with palm crosses,

weather permitting. Our Senior Choir will be presenting The Lenten Sketches by Joseph M. Martin

during worship.

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 2 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

The word "Maundy" is derived from "Mandatus", the first

word in the Latin translation of John 13:34: “A new

commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as

I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

The Jewish holy day of Passover had begun at sunset on

Thursday; while Jesus and his disciples had gathered to

observe this festival, Jesus used this as yet another opportunity to teach and instruct his disciples -- both

those present with him then and those of us today. During the celebration of the Passover, Jesus' words

of instruction at His last supper with them laid the foundation for our sacrament of Holy Communion.

Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples, an act of hospitality practiced during his life but also a symbol

of Christians' need to humble ourselves in service to others.

After the meal Jesus and his disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed while his

followers struggled to stay awake. While in the garden, Roman soldiers (led by Judas Iscariot) arrive to

arrest Jesus. During the remainder of the night Jesus is tried by the Sanhedrin and by Pontius Pilate (the

Roman governor of Judea) and sentenced to death.

At our 6:30 p.m. service our first time communicants will celebrate Holy Communion and at the

conclusion of the evening service, the chancel is stripped reminding us of the New Covenant that God

made with his people in the bloody sacrifice and death of his Son our Lord, Jesus Christ, at Calvary.

5

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 3 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Good Friday, the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, commemorates the

crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death on Golgotha. Note that the Jewish holy

day of Passover was still taking place (having started the previous evening);

during this time lambs were sacrificed at the Temple in atonement for sin.

Christians point to Jesus as the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the

world," as his crucifixion and death parallels the sacrifices being made on this same day.

Jesus died before sunset on Friday (tradition held this death took place around 'the ninth hour', around 3:00

p.m.) and buried (interred) in a tomb hewn from solid rock. His entombment had to be completed before sunset

Friday, the start of the Sabbath (day of rest). Thus Friday was the first day Jesus lay in the tomb.

EASTER also called PASCH (derived, through Latin Pascha) or

RESURRECTION SUNDAY April 5 at 6:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!

CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

The season of Easter begins with this salutation, and focuses on the most

important religious event in Christendom -- the resurrection of our Lord

Jesus Christ following his crucifixion.

Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. The First Council of

Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, the full moon that

occurs on or soonest after March 21 (taken to be the date of the equinox). Ecclesiastically, the equinox is thus

reckoned to be on March 21 (although the astronomical equinox occurs on March 20 in most years), and the

"Full Moon" is not necessarily on the astronomically correct date. The date of Easter therefore varies from

March 22 to April 25 inclusive within about seven days after the astronomical full moon.

Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by much of its symbolism, as well as by its position in the calendar. In

many languages, the words for "Easter" and "Passover" are identical or very similar.

The Easter Holiday is also the start of a church season that lasts for fifty days (sometimes referred to as "a

week of weeks.") During this fifty day period Christ ministered to his disciples and instructed them on their

mission into the world. Of course, Christians refer to themselves as the Easter People, and our belief in the

power of the Resurrection emboldens us to proclaim the Good News not just on one day, not just for an hour on

Sunday, but every day of the year!

The EASTER SERVICES will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 5, with the SUNRISE SERVICE

including special music and Holy Communion. The EASTER BREAKFAST will begin following the Sunrise

Service in the Fellowship Hall and served by our youth groups. Contributions will be accepted for the

breakfast to help with the youth activities during the year. After the breakfast, everyone is invited to Sunday

School at 9:30 a.m. Our EASTER SERVICE will begin at 10:30 a.m., again celebrating the triumphant

resurrection message with special music and Holy Communion. Weather permitting, both services will be

concluded in the cemetery. Plan to be present on the holiest day of the Church year as we celebrate Christ's

victory over the grave.

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LUTHERAN MEN NEWS...

THE LUTHERAN MEN'S NEXT MEETING WILL

BE THURSDAY, APRIL 9, AT 6:30 PM, IN THE

FELLOWSHIP HALL. PLEASE DON'T MISS THIS

OPPORTUNITY TO EAT A GOOD MEAL,

FELLOWSHIP, AND ENJOY AN EXCITING

PROGRAM. SEE YOU THERE!

ANNUAL EASTER

EGG HUNT

The Sunday School

EASTER EGG HUNT for

children in Nursery – 5th grade will be on

Saturday, April 4th, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

NURSERY – KINDERGARTENERS are

asked to please bring a basket for the Easter

Egg Hunt. Plastic eggs and prizes will be

provided for the hunt.

The FIRST-FIFTH GRADERS are also

asked to please bring a basket for the Easter

Egg Hunt. Plastic eggs and prizes will be

provided for the hunt.

Your friends and family are invited to

participate in this year's Easter Egg Hunt.

Refreshments and prizes will be provided.

The Church Office will be closed on Easter

Monday, April 6, in observance of Easter.

The Family Life Committee will meet

Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the

Counting Room.

CHURCH COUNCIL will meet Sunday, April

12, at 8:00 a.m. in the Conference Room.

FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL MEET SUNDAY,

APRIL 12, AT 3:00 P.M. IN THE

COUNTING ROOM.

The next meeting of the Worship & Music

Committee will be on Sunday, April 12, at

6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room.

The Social Ministry Committee will meet

Sunday, April 19, at 4:00 p.m. in the

Conference Room.

WOMEN OF FAITH

Women of Faith will meet Thursday, April

9, at 11:00 am at Bonnie Bernhardt’s home

(1822 Old Concord Road, Salisbury). The

topic of Women of Faith will be Session 6 The

unexpected Gift of Sadness. Our Scripture

reflection with focus of Job. Please bring a

covered dish. Following the Bible Study we

will be sharing lunch together.

You can never be behind at Women of Faith.

We have ordered extra books that should be in

by this meeting. We welcome members of the

community and our congregation. This is a

great time to explore God’s word and share

our love with each other. Please consider join-

ing us for a great time. We will be having a

covered dish meal following our Bible Study.

In His Name, Jill Earnhardt, RN Parish Nurse

PiYo Classes Every Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

PiYo Classes are held in the Fellowship Hall

on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. The class

works on muscle sculpting benefits of Pilates

with core strengthening and stretching of yoga

cranked up into one low impact but high

intensity workout.

Please bring a yoga mat and water. Towel is

optional.

7

Lutheran Men assist with

BINGO at the NC Veteran's

Retirement Home

The veterans at the NC

Veteran's Retirement Home have showed much

appreciation and enthusiasm for the BINGO

hour St. Paul's Men have provided for them

over the years.

This month, the Lutheran Men will be

providing the Bingo on Tuesday, April 21, at

6:30 p.m.

GENEVIEVE LAMBERT WILL BE ON

VACATION FROM THURSDAY, APRIL 16-

MONDAY, APRIL 20. THE CHURCH OFFICE

WILL BE OPEN DURING HER ABSENCE.

JDRF One Walk

On the morning of April 25th, I will once

again participate in the JDRF One Walk

(formerly the Walk to Cure Diabetes).

Through the many generous donations I've

been blessed to receive, including several

members of our congregation, I've been able

to raise over $2,000 each year towards a cure

for type 1 diabetes. I nearly received $3,000

last year and would love to break that mark

this year...and I'd love your help in doing it! If

you would like to donate towards my goal,

please go to http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/

scottwilhelm. If you would like to donate off-

line, please contact me at scottwil-

helm704@gmail.com so that can be arranged.

Any amount given would be appreciated more

than I can express.

Scott Wilhelm

70+ BANQUET

Following the worship service on Sunday,

April 19, we will be honoring our members

who are 70 years old and older for their

commitment and love to St. Paul's over the

years. We will be honoring them with a meal

and fellowship.

Debbie Suggs will be catering the meal. The

cost of the meal is $8.00 A PLATE (Adults),

$4.00 (3-12 years), and FREE (2 and under and

our 70+ members). Menu consists of: BAR-B-

QUE CHICKEN, COUNTRY STYLE STEAK,

CREAMED POTATOES, SALAD WITH SPECIAL

DRESSING, GREEN BEANS, AND DESSERT – the

FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE will provide the

plates, tea, etc.

There will be a basket on the table at the

banquet in which to place your money. We

hope those who are able will give additional

money to help defray the cost of the meal

honoring those 70+.

Each member of the Fellowship

Committee needs to bring 2 gallons of tea.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB

St. Paul's Friendship Club will meet

Thursday, April 16, at 10:30 a.m. at the

church with a covered dish luncheon.

The theme for the meeting will be "GUESS

WHO." Please bring an unmarked picture or

pictures of you when you were much

younger. We will then try to guess who.

Afterward, you may tell something about you

and your picture. It will be fun.

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN WOMEN WILL HAVE

OUR QUARTERLY MEETING ON SUNDAY,

APRIL 12, AT 5:00 P.M. WITH THE ELLEN

BUMGARNER GROUP HAVING DEVOTIONS.

8

WEDNESDAY EVENING SERVICES WILL

CONTINUE AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE SANCTUARY FOL-

LOWING THE SEASON OF LENT.

Congratulations to Holland and Samantha

Bost on the birth of a daughter, BAYLOR GRACE

BOST on March 17. Grandparents are Dana

and Crystal Bost and Great Grandparents are

Rev. Floyd and Bonnie Bost.

FIBER MARCH CHALLENGE

Your challenge for the month of March is to

add 2 fiber rich foods a day to your diet. Also

continue drinking your water. Use a March

calendar to fill in how many servings you eat per

day. You may not always have a great day. Just

remember when you do not, there is always the

next day to continue on your journey to getting

healthy.

To accept the challenge, call me at home or the

office @ 704-633-3439 (home), 704-633-0922

(Church office) or you may email me at jearn-

hardtrn@gmail.com. Thank you in advance.

Jill Earnhardt, RN Parish Nurse.

HISTORY BOOK CHAPTER 10

History Books are available in the Narthex

(one per family).

Donations for the book may be made to the

Be the Match Bone Marrow Registry. Please

make checks payable to St. Paul’s Lutheran

Church and mark: Be the Match.

Thank you to all those who have signed up

to help with the CRUISE 'N BARBECUE. The

willingness of St. Paul's to work together to

show God's love is incredible! If you haven't

yet volunteered, please complete the bulle-

tin insert and drop it in the offering plate.

All volunteers, be sure to mark your calendar

to attend the pre-event volunteer's meeting and

celebration – Thursday, April 23, at 7:00 pm.

YOUTH SCHEDULE FOR

EASTER BREAKFAST

Easter Breakfast will be April 5th at 7:30 am

ALL Grade School Youth should be present by

7:00 am to help serve.

High School Youth will have a lock in the night

before to set up and prepare food the next morn-

ing.

Middle School Youth should be at church by

6:30 am to help high school youth with food and

last minute preparations .

Please bring 2 dozen eggs per family to the

church kitchen on Saturday. Thank you.

Youth News…

In April, the Youth will meet three Sundays to

prepare for Youth Sunday:

April 12th, 19th, & 26th from 4:00-5:00 pm

Middle and High School will meet 4:00 pm-

6:00 pm on April 26th.

Youth Sunday is May 3rd. Practice May 2nd

from 10:00-12:00 noon with lunch provided

all the youth.