September 2026
September Newsletter
Prayer is one of the most familiar words in the Christian vocabulary—and yet, for many of us, it can also be one of the most difficult practices.
We know that Christians are supposed to pray. We pray in worship. We pray before meals. We ask others to pray for us when life becomes difficult. But underneath all of that, many of us still carry questions: What exactly is prayer? Am I doing it right? What am I supposed to say? What happens when God seems silent? And how can prayer become something more than another obligation on an already-full spiritual to-do list?
This September, we are going to spend several weeks exploring the practice of prayer together.
Rather than assuming that everyone already knows how to pray, we are going to approach prayer as something we can learn, practice, and grow into. We will look at the ways Jesus prayed and what he taught his disciples about prayer. We will explore several different practices of prayer, recognizing that prayer does not always have to mean sitting quietly with our eyes closed and finding the right words to say.
Sometimes prayer is speaking. Sometimes it is listening. Sometimes it is silence. Sometimes it is gratitude, lament, wonder, confession, or simply paying attention to the presence of God in the middle of an ordinary day.
Throughout the series, we will also experiment with practical ways of praying that you can carry into your own life. My hope is that each of us will discover at least one or two practices that help prayer become more natural, meaningful, and sustainable.
Prayer is not about becoming unusually spiritual or learning the perfect religious vocabulary. It is about becoming attentive—to God, to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us. It is one of the ways we learn to bring the whole of our lives into relationship with God.
Whether you have prayed every day for decades, struggle to pray at all, or simply wonder whether there might be more to prayer than what you have previously experienced, I hope you will join us this September.
Come curious. Come with questions. Come exactly as you are.
Rev. David Petty
We know that Christians are supposed to pray. We pray in worship. We pray before meals. We ask others to pray for us when life becomes difficult. But underneath all of that, many of us still carry questions: What exactly is prayer? Am I doing it right? What am I supposed to say? What happens when God seems silent? And how can prayer become something more than another obligation on an already-full spiritual to-do list?
This September, we are going to spend several weeks exploring the practice of prayer together.
Rather than assuming that everyone already knows how to pray, we are going to approach prayer as something we can learn, practice, and grow into. We will look at the ways Jesus prayed and what he taught his disciples about prayer. We will explore several different practices of prayer, recognizing that prayer does not always have to mean sitting quietly with our eyes closed and finding the right words to say.
Sometimes prayer is speaking. Sometimes it is listening. Sometimes it is silence. Sometimes it is gratitude, lament, wonder, confession, or simply paying attention to the presence of God in the middle of an ordinary day.
Throughout the series, we will also experiment with practical ways of praying that you can carry into your own life. My hope is that each of us will discover at least one or two practices that help prayer become more natural, meaningful, and sustainable.
Prayer is not about becoming unusually spiritual or learning the perfect religious vocabulary. It is about becoming attentive—to God, to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us. It is one of the ways we learn to bring the whole of our lives into relationship with God.
Whether you have prayed every day for decades, struggle to pray at all, or simply wonder whether there might be more to prayer than what you have previously experienced, I hope you will join us this September.
Come curious. Come with questions. Come exactly as you are.
Rev. David Petty
Sunday School-
On Sunday, Sept. 20th we will begin a 6 week Sunday School study of the Lord's Prayer. We will be using the study book "Pray Like Jesus" by Don Underwood." It is remarkably simple and brief. Most Christians already know it by heart and can easily recite it. In fact, that might be part of the problem: it is so well known that most of us never think about the words as we rattle them off. But the Lord's Prayer is both an insightful theological statement and, if recited daily, a powerful tool for developing a rich devotional life." The participant's book is available on Amazon. Please plan on bringing something for journaling. By that time, school supplies will be on sale so you can purchase a Composition Book or small notepad.
On Sunday, Sept. 20th we will begin a 6 week Sunday School study of the Lord's Prayer. We will be using the study book "Pray Like Jesus" by Don Underwood." It is remarkably simple and brief. Most Christians already know it by heart and can easily recite it. In fact, that might be part of the problem: it is so well known that most of us never think about the words as we rattle them off. But the Lord's Prayer is both an insightful theological statement and, if recited daily, a powerful tool for developing a rich devotional life." The participant's book is available on Amazon. Please plan on bringing something for journaling. By that time, school supplies will be on sale so you can purchase a Composition Book or small notepad.
September Mission - Care & Share
Our September mission is Care & Share. The year ahead brings new challenges for Care and Share. Reductions in federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), changes to how food from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is acquired and reimbursed, and the elimination of Local Food Purchasing Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) funding are all contributing to a difficult and shifting landscape.
These changes mean fewer resources and less food when more neighbors than ever are turning to Care and Share for help. Care and Share’s network – and the charitable food system nationwide – must now do more with less to meet the growing need.
Just $2 provides 5 meals to neighbors in need across Southern Colorado. Last year 22 million pounds of food were distributed across 29 counties with 284,562 people receiving the food they so desperately needed. 12,598 children took nutritious food home through Care and Share’s Children’s programs.
The support of the Southern Colorado Community is a powerful thing, making it possible to take on the months ahead. Care and Share received a Best Workplace 2025 Award from the Gazette. Charity Navigator listed it as a 4-star charity. Volunteers are needed!
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;…and the Lord will reward you.” Pr 25:21-22
Thank you from your Mission Team
These changes mean fewer resources and less food when more neighbors than ever are turning to Care and Share for help. Care and Share’s network – and the charitable food system nationwide – must now do more with less to meet the growing need.
Just $2 provides 5 meals to neighbors in need across Southern Colorado. Last year 22 million pounds of food were distributed across 29 counties with 284,562 people receiving the food they so desperately needed. 12,598 children took nutritious food home through Care and Share’s Children’s programs.
The support of the Southern Colorado Community is a powerful thing, making it possible to take on the months ahead. Care and Share received a Best Workplace 2025 Award from the Gazette. Charity Navigator listed it as a 4-star charity. Volunteers are needed!
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;…and the Lord will reward you.” Pr 25:21-22
Thank you from your Mission Team
The Church Mouse
“You have heard of the perseverance of Job
and seen what the Lord brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ”
James 5:11
and seen what the Lord brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ”
James 5:11
Job was one of the most afflicted figures in the entire Bible. He lost hid children, his wealth, and even his own health. In the face of devastating circumstances, Job still maintained, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15)
It may seem difficult to contribute compassion and mercy to a God who would allow one of His own to suffer so intensely. But remember that the Lord’s work in our lives has a purpose and that while we may feel defeated, we have the assurance that every adversity in our lives is sifted through God’s hands.
Our hope amid personal catastrophe is in knowing that God sees the end before there is a beginning. With faith in the unchanging character of God, we can trust Him through the trials
.
If you are facing a trial today, unsure of why God is allowing your life to be
disrupted, take time to focus on His love for you. When we see God for who He is, we are better able to cope with where we are.
“Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them”.
JOHN NEWTON
It may seem difficult to contribute compassion and mercy to a God who would allow one of His own to suffer so intensely. But remember that the Lord’s work in our lives has a purpose and that while we may feel defeated, we have the assurance that every adversity in our lives is sifted through God’s hands.
Our hope amid personal catastrophe is in knowing that God sees the end before there is a beginning. With faith in the unchanging character of God, we can trust Him through the trials
.
If you are facing a trial today, unsure of why God is allowing your life to be
disrupted, take time to focus on His love for you. When we see God for who He is, we are better able to cope with where we are.
“Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them”.
JOHN NEWTON
Pastor's Discretionary Fund
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.
Communion for the Homebound
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.
Grocery Cards
As the holidays approach, it’s never been a better time to purchase grocery cards from the church. They can be used at all Safeway and Kings Soopers stores. In addition to using them for your own grocery shopping, they make great gifts and stocking stuffers. They are as simple to use as a credit or debit card. You can purchase grocery cards for $25, $50, or $100. The cards never expire and you can use them multiple times until the entire balance on the card has been sent. Best of all, the church makes 5% of the face value of each card sold.
Tesla
A number of students attending the TESLA school across the street from the church have some needs that you can help supply. They need food cards, deodorant (boys and girls scents), hairbrushes, toothpaste/toothbrushes, hoodies/sweaters (all adult sizes), and boys’ and girls’ t-shirts and long sleeve t-shirts (all adult sizes).
They have also asked for help with a food drive. You can donate grocery cards or non-perishables. Any assistance you can provide will let the young people know that people care about them.
They have also asked for help with a food drive. You can donate grocery cards or non-perishables. Any assistance you can provide will let the young people know that people care about them.
Coat Box
We will be collecting coats for Springs Rescue Mission. A box is located in the Narthex.
Save your Pop Tabs
The Children’s Ministry has been called to collect pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.
A jar will be placed in the Narthex on the information table.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact
A jar will be placed in the Narthex on the information table.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact
Welcome Home Rally Day
No matter how long it has been, you always have a home here. Come home to St. Paul’s this Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 9:30 am. Invite friends and neighbors as we kick off our new worship series on Prayer.
Welcome Home Potluck – We will welcome everyone back from Summer Activities with a special potluck on Sept. 13th. Our main dish will be Mexican Fiesta... the church will provide the base ingredients (Fritos, rice, chili).
Please bring a side dish or dessert. Let's come together for food, fun and fellowship!
No matter how long it has been, you always have a home here. Come home to St. Paul’s this Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 9:30 am. Invite friends and neighbors as we kick off our new worship series on Prayer.
Welcome Home Potluck – We will welcome everyone back from Summer Activities with a special potluck on Sept. 13th. Our main dish will be Mexican Fiesta... the church will provide the base ingredients (Fritos, rice, chili).
Please bring a side dish or dessert. Let's come together for food, fun and fellowship!
September Birthdays
| Carol Zimmerman 9/2 | Beth Ford 9/2 | Carolyn Myers 9/4 |
| Andrew Meikle 9/5 | Ellen Witham 9/5 | Heather Bruce 9/7 |
| Addi Ford 9/13 | Carolyn Sherman 9/13 | Cheryl Barks 9/15 |
| Eldon Cornish 9/15 | Valerie Cox 9/18 | Mark Horst 9/18 |
| Susan Bowman 9/19 | Rev. David Petty 9/20 | Diane Geoffroy 9/21 |
| Bob Hilty 9/21 | Kaelyn Gordon 9/22 | Elsa Gordon 9/24 |
| Mark Rankin 9/24 | Connie Reed 9/25 | David Kitch 9/27 |
| Ruth Morr 9/27 | Donnie Sturgill 9/28 | Karen Bookman 9/29 |
September Anniversaries
| Erin & Clay Couitt September 7, 2018 8 Years | Willie & Carol Horst September 16, 1961 65 Years | Brian & Jeanne Marsh September 23, 1967 59 Years |
Schedule of Weekly Online & In-Person Events
View our calendar online
Sunday
9:30a Worship & Youth Sunday School
9:45a Children’s Church
10:30a Fellowship Time
5:00p Youth GroupMonday
7:30p Barbershop Chorus
Tuesday
11:00a Line Dancing
Wednesday
8:30a Wednesday Morning Bible Study
6:30p Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Thursday
5:00p Brewing Faith
September Events
September Events
| 9/7 Labor Day – Office is closed | 9/2 Homeschool Music Program Resumes |
| 9/13 Welcome Home Rally Day & Potluck | 9/15 One Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm |
| Friendship Bible Study 9:30 am | Worship Team Meeting 11:30 am |
| September 26th Blessing of the Animals 9:00 am | Soup for the Body & Nourishment for the Soul 6:00 pm |
October-
| World Communion 10/4 | Worship team meeting 10/15 @ 11:30 am | One Board Meeting 10/20 @ 6:00 pm |
| 10/25 Trick or Treat for UNICEF 9:30 am Trunk or Treat & Pumpkin Carving 5:00 pm | ||
November-
| 11/1 Daylight Savings Ends All Saints Sunday Celebration Sunday | GS Troop 48777 Derby 11/7 | Happy Thanksgiving Office Closed 11/26 |
| Decking of the halls 11/29 | The First Sunday of Advent 11/29 |  |
December-
| 4th Annual Cookie Walk 12/5 | Family Christmas Event 12/11 @ 5:30 pm | GS Troop 48777 12/12 |
| Worship Team meeting 12/17 @11:30 am | Blue Christmas TBD | Christmas Cantata TBD |
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