October 2025

Dear Siblings in Christ,

The days are getting shorter, the air a little crisper, and leaves are beginning to change. Fall is a season of change, but it’s also a season of harvest. We gather apples, pumpkins, and squash, and we’re reminded that the earth still produces in abundance.

In the life of the church, fall is also a time when we talk about stewardship. It’s when we discuss how we use our gifts, our time, and our resources to do the work God has called us to in our communities and in our world. Just as farmers plan for both planting and harvesting, we too plan for both giving and ministry.

Stewardship isn’t just about budgets or pledge cards. It’s about gratitude and trust. We start with gratitude for the blessings we’ve received, and trust that God can use and multiply what we give. When we give, we are planting seeds for ministries that will bear fruit in ways we might never see.

Every gift fuels the life of the church: worship, service, teaching, care for our neighbors, and the daily work of being Christ’s body together. Just as leaves fall to make way for new life in the spring, our generosity opens the door for God to bring new growth out of our giving.

So as you rake leaves, sip pumpkin spice lattes, or walk under the changing trees this October, take a moment to reflect: What might it look like for you to live generously this season? What gifts might God be inviting you to offer for the sake of this community and the world beyond?

Together, let’s lean into this season of abundance, trusting that the one who paints the trees in color can also do something beautiful with everything we offer.

May this season of change bring about the opportunity for new life to break through in the seasons ahead.

Rev. David Petty

Every week it seems that someone calls the church or stops by with a request for some help While some of these folks have chronic struggles, many of them are momentary life setbacks where a difficult life event such as a job loss, illness, break-up, car trouble, or other, has suddenly put them in a tight spot.

When that happens, folks look for help and try to find someone to show them care, compassion, and kindness just as Christ did. They ask around town and eventually someone might tell them “I hear that the folks at St. Paul’s UMC can help” and that’s when they call us.

When that happens, I am so grateful that we have the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund to help out. Sometimes it’s rent money so a family doesn’t get evicted. Sometimes it’s gas so someone can get to work. Sometimes it’s a pair of shoes for a person who has worn the soles out of the ones they live in. To most of these folks, these things are not luxuries, they are lifelines.

The beauty of this fund is that it allows the church to respond quickly, without needing a line in the budget or a committee meeting to make a decision. Someone shares their story, and we get to say, “Yes. We can help.” And in that “yes” is more than money. It’s dignity, it’s hope, and it’s a reminder that they’re not alone. We love on people because God has loved on us.

Often, this fund fills up just as quickly as we get requests for it and I’ve had times that I have had to tell people “no” because it was run dry. We also track every request that comes in to ensure that we are helping instead of enabling. We want to ensure that our presence is healing and not hurting and that we are good stewards of the resources we have available.
And that’s why this October, we’re asking our congregation to go a little above and beyond in supporting it.

Think of it as fueling up the church’s tank for compassion toward our community when they’re in a moment of greatest need. Whether it’s five dollars or five hundred, every gift matters. A little extra generosity this month means we’ll be ready the next time someone walks through the doors, uncertain of what to do next.

Just mark your gift for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund or “Monthly Mission – October”. And as you do, remember: you’re not just helping pay a bill. You’re helping restore hope, renew strength, and remind people that God’s love shows up in very practical, very real ways.
Together, we can keep saying “yes”.

Each communion Sunday thereafter we will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second-mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund, which helps meet community needs as they arise, such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

 
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance
 through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
 2 Peter 1:2

True Abundance

In our consumer culture, we’re often encouraged to buy in bulk.  Big box stores offer low prices on products that can be sold in multiple units.  As a result, many people stock up on staples and end up with a year’s worth of paper towels, canned tomatoes, or apply juice.  We even have TV shows about people who excel at using coupons to save money and acquire even more products.  And taken to an extreme (as if it’s not already), we hear of people who hoard things that they will never use, acquiring more and more out of compulsion.
 
   True abundance, of course, is not about having more stuff.  It doesn’t rely on stockpiling canned goods, paper products, or enough emergency candles to light up a stadium.  True abundance is not about the quantity of material possessions you have but the quality of your heart and soul.

   When we dwell on our knowledge of God and Jesus Chris, we experience an abundance of peace and grace.  We don’t have to have more in order to experience the satisfaction and joy that only our Lord can provide.

St. Paul’s members- we need your help. If you know of anyone in our St. Paul’s family who is homebound, in a nursing home, or unable to come to church for a while, please let me know their name and phone number. I will be happy to contact them and see if they would appreciate having communion brought to them. Lu Petersen, 597-2824.

Jon Reimer & Kristina Kafka
October 22, 2016
9 Years

11:00a Adult Sunday School
5:00p Youth Group7:00p Vocal Fusion

Let’s show encouragement and thanks for their service.

Thank you both, for being the shepherds who know your flock and care for each one of us with tenderness. Your compassion, patience, and wisdom have touched our lives in so many ways. We pray God blesses you both as you bless us!

October 23rd at 5 pm - We will be hosting our Annual Community Pumpkin Carving and Soup supper. We need 12 crock-pots of soup, with ingredient lists for people with allergies to see which soups they can enjoy. Get out your fall comfort soup recipes! The whole community is invited to make a mess with the Methodists during our fall community soup supper. We provide pumpkins, carving utensils, space to make a mess, and the soup.

If you can make a donation to help us make this event possible, we'd really appreciate it. If you need a hot meal and can't afford the donation, that's ok too. The most important part is that we gather, we get messy, and celebrate being together.

A signup sheet went around on Sunday, Sept. 28. The signup sheet will also be available on the Volunteer Table.

There will also be spaces for volunteers to help.

Trick or Treat for UNICEF:

Join us on October 26th for a special Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF event! Kids, wear your favorite costumes and come to church ready to make a difference. As we gather, we'll be collecting change donations to support UNICEF's vital mission for children worldwide. So dig through those couch cushions and car cupholders and let's turn our Halloween spirit into an act of love and generosity!

Get ready kids - and adults too!

Circle Sunday October 26th on your calendar. It’s time for St Paul’s annual spookiest, wildest and most fun time of the year - Trunk or Treat!

 Kids: 5:00 is the time to arrive dressed up in your spookiest, scariest or handsomest, prettiest costume. Check out all the other kids’ costumes and have fun in the huge Bounce House!

Adults: this is the time for your to decorate your trunk, organize that terrific candy stash and watch the fun.

5:15 Ghoul’s Grill opens with traditional Halloween fare - hot dogs, chips, and something to drink.

At 5:30 the Costume Parade begins, followed by the main event - Trunk or Treating!

Candy donations will be accepted starting Sunday September 21st; there will be a decorated box in the Narthex. But feel free to provide your own wrapped treats on October 26th.

You don’t want to miss this event. And don’t worry - the ghosts are friendly!

11/2
Daylight Savings Ends
All Saints Sunday
Celebration Sunday

11/3 7:30 pm Christmas Chorus Rehearsal

11/8 Pals & Projects Extravaganza

11/10 7:30 pm Christmas Chorus Rehearsal

11/15 GS Troop 48777 Derby

11/17 7:30 pm Christmas Chorus Rehearsal

11/24 7:30 pm Christmas Chorus Rehearsal

11/27 Thanksgiving Day the Office is Closed

11/29 Decking of the halls

11/30 First Sunday of Advent

Colorado Springs Christmas Chorus
Do you like to sing Christmas Carols?

Once again, the Colorado Springs Barbershop Christmas Chorus is gearing up for a fun-filled November and December. If you like to sing Christmas carols, then this is the place to do it. There is a caveat: All men and any woman who can sing either the Tenor or Alto part in an SATB choir are welcome. We sing in the Barbershop style which means that the melody line is what appears to be the Alto voice in the SATB choir and it's an octave lower than written. We provide sheet music and learning tracks.

As it says in the flyer, we rehearse for an hour the first 4 Mondays of November and then sing at retirement communities the next three Thursdays in December. We will start on the 3rd of November and I'm looking forward to seeing some of you here at the church in the Choir Room.

Rehearsals (@ St. Paul’s UMC) 7:30 – 8:30 pm November 3,10,17,24
Performances (location TBD) December 4,11,18

Songbooks are provided and will be used during the performances.
For more information: Russ Josephson (719) 426-1621