August Newsletter

In this Month's Newsletter:
Preacher's Part from Pastor David
A Note From Pastor Donnie
Monthly Mission
Pastor's Discretionary
Hospitality
The Church Mouse
Communion for the Home bound
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Schedule
Monthly Events
Seasonal Announcements

Recently someone told me that they had attended dozens of churches in their lives looking for a church home. It wasn’t until they walked into St. Paul’s that they felt truly at home.
This information spun up my brain like a top. I wondered “What could it be? What secret sauce makes St. Paul’s feel like church home for this person?”

There were so many possibilities! After all, we have a great stained glass in the front of the sanctuary. Donnie is the best associate pastor I’ve ever had a chance to work with. My preaching isn’t half bad. Rachel does great work in the office and the sound booth.
Dominick leads our music in wonderful ways accompanied by our talented organist/accompanist Cynthia. The service is broadcast every Sunday in an app, on our Facebook page, website, Instagram, TikTok, and even on YouTube. Valerie is a fantastic teacher for our kids on Sunday mornings along with Alison, our newest St. Paul staff member. Lorraine keeps the building looking great. And of course, how could I forget all the leaders of all of our committees? Perhaps, I thought – It’s the pews. They are so comfortable; it just must feel like home when you’re sitting in one of the pews! I think I was wrong.
All of those things and all of those people are great, but none of them are the single ingredient in the special sauce.

It’s you.

YOU are the secret sauce of why people feel at home here. You are inviting your friends and neighbors. You are greeting strangers at the door with a warm smile, a loving attitude, and the peace of Christ. You are inviting people to Bible Study, Brewing Faith, or Friendship Bible Study. You are inviting them to lunch after church, to help serve during fellowship time, and to community events.

People are experiencing the love of Christ through your actions, attitude, and awesome love.

Keep it up, church.

The world needs more people like you because the world needs more people like Jesus.

Rev. David Petty

I began taking my last two Course of Study classes in July. The Course of Study consists of 20 classes. As a Licensed Local Pastor I have been required to take these classes until I have completed all 20. Though my ministry will be coming to an end next year, it is my desire to complete all 20 classes before I retire. Because of the intense reading and writing requirement of my classes I will not be writing newsletters for August and September. I will resume writing my articles beginning with the October newsletter.

Thank for your grace.
Pastor Donnie

Opportunity Awaits!

You can help clothe children in need in El Paso County as they start back to school. Remember how excited you were to have new clothes for school?

The Assistance League of Colorado Springs is a non-profit, all volunteer, philanthropic organization committed to improving the well-being of children and families through several programs: Operation School Bell, Buddy Bear and ASK. ASK furnishes assault survivor kits in cooperation with Memorial Hospital. These kits include clothing and hygiene supplies. Assistance League is the only organization in Colorado Springs which provides this help to survivors. Sweet Dreams is another program providing mattress/box spring sets to emancipated children leaving foster care along with sheets, pillow cases and towels. Some of these children have never had a bed of their own. Can You Hear Me? is a program which screens preschoolers’ hearing.

As stated, our focus for August is Operation School Bell. It is also Assistance League’s major program. Operation School Bell provides new school clothing and hygiene kits to enhance self-esteem and to encourage regular school attendance for children in need in El Paso County. Public school staff refer children. Based on age, children are given an allotment for purchase at Kohl’s. Appointments are scheduled and some limitations are placed on what can be purchased. A volunteer helps with shopping and checkout to ensure adherence to guidelines. As of 2020, Operation School Bell had served over 100,000 students in El Paso County. Operation School Bell has partnered with United Way to distribute additional coats to children. Widefield High School has held a coat and blanket drive in the last few years to assist Operation School Bell in keeping our youth warm.

If you would like to participate in this mission, you may mail a check to St. Paul’s, drop it off or put it in the plate on Sundays in August, with the memo “August Mission: Operation School Bell”. You may also donate cash or use the online portal for your gift to this worthy cause.

Thank you for your long term support of this mission.

—Missions Committee

“I needed clothes and you clothed me... “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
(Matthew 26:36a, 40)

Each communion Sunday we 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.

“Call to me and I will answer you 
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3

His Word Is True

We all know people who say one thing but mean another.  Sometimes we don’t trust what we hear, especially when we know there may be an unspoken, underlying message.  So we end up feeling as though we have to crack the code and read between the lines, deciphering what the other person actually means to communicate.

God is never like this.  He means what he says and says what He means.  We know that his Word is true and that He keeps his promises.  When we communicate with God through prayer, we know that He hears us and answers us.  In fact, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with our Father when we don’t know what to say.  We don’t have to worry about getting the words right or be afraid of saying the wrong thing.

God loves communicating with his children.  God is always with us..

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.

August 4, 2024

Are you interested in becoming a member of our church family? Join us for our New Member Class after worship on August 4th from 11 am to noon. This class is an excellent opportunity to learn about the history and beliefs of The United Methodist Church, discover ways to get involved in our community, and ask any questions you might have. Whether you are new to faith, transferring from another church, or seeking a deeper connection, we welcome you with open arms and look forward to seeing you there!

Betsy Meikle 8/2
Mark Horst Jr. 8/4
Amanda Coffee-Stansbury 8/6
Jeremie Pfahl 8/7
Diane Shearer 8/10
Janette Bell 8/11
Lisa Mowery 8/13
Mark Patzke 8/15  
Chuck Miller 8/16
Susan Peters-Rizk 8/17
Lorraine Grindinger 8/20    
Jessica (Coffee) Hearn 8/21
Jackie Fletcher 8/25

Mike & Jaymie Pfahl
August 4, 2001
23 Years

Jayne & John Gnadt
August 5, 1989
35 Years

Pastor Donnie & Daphne Sturgill
August 9, 1980
44 Years

Nancy & Georg Gehrung
August 11, 1967
57 Years

Rev. David & Amberly Petty
August 14, 2009
15 Years

Marje & Rodger Erickson
August 16, 2008
16 Years

Darlene & Woody Woods
August 16, 1968
56 Years

Ethan  & Laurie Gabriel
August 23, 2000
24 Years

Bob & Dixie Barnes
August 28, 1960
64 Years