November Newsletter

October Newsletter

PREACHER'S PART

Gathering in Grace to combat loneliness and isolation.

As the days grow shorter and the air turns colder, it can be easy for some of us to retreat into our homes and our own worlds, especially as the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season approaches. However, this time of year presents a unique opportunity for us as a church to reach out and care for one another in intentional ways.

Many people in our community feel the weight of loneliness more acutely during these colder months. Social isolation is a real challenge, but together, we can be the hands and feet of Christ, ensuring no one feels left out or forgotten.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” God created us to be in relationship, not only with Him but with each other. When we gather, whether in small groups, worship, or fellowship, we can offer encouragement, support, and love to those who may feel disconnected.

As the church, we have the incredible privilege of being a source of warmth and belonging. Whether through a kind word, a shared meal, or a simple visit, we have countless ways to make sure no one feels alone. Even the smallest gesture can make a world of difference.

If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, know that you are not alone. Our church family is here for you, ready to listen, pray, and walk alongside you in love. And for those who are able, I encourage you to reach out to someone who might need a reminder that they are seen and valued. Together, we can build a community where truly no one ever feels alone.

Let’s follow the example of Jesus and gather in Gods grace for all to feel a warm welcome.

In Christ,
Pastor David

A Note From Pastor Donnie

One of my favorite activities as a pastor is researching for a sermon, and one of my least favorite activities as a pastor is researching for a sermon. You might wonder how can that be?

There is a bit of exaggeration in those statements. Overall, researching for a sermon is fun, but it can be very frustrating to write a sermon that is faithful to scripture while reading comments of several theologians who voice different interpretations of the same scripture. For many of us, interpreting scripture might appear to be relatively simple, but it actually isn’t as simple as you might think.

For example, Leviticus 24:19-20 says, “Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.”

Since the time this message was declared, people have misinterpreted it to promote personal vengeance, while it was intended to be used as a guideline in the legal system for proper punishment. In other words, this declaration found in scripture was to prevent the courts from dispensing punishments that exceeded the severity of the crime that was committed. In no way do these verses apply to personal vengeance. Yet, we interpret them to suit our own personal desires to get revenge on those who do wrong against us.

If the early historical context of this scripture reading isn’t enough, we find in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…” There is still debate among modern theologians whether Jesus’ words should be taken literally or not. Regardless, Jesus doesn’t support retaliation.
After church a few weeks ago, several of us were having a discussion regarding the sermon that day.  David’s sermon talked about doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. After acknowledging the wisdom of Jesus’ words, we moved on to the topic of our driving proclivities. We admitted that our usual kind selves are sometimes transformed into something less than kind when we get behind the wheel of our cars.

Though, I’m better now, in the past, if someone cut me off in traffic, I would sometimes seek opportunities to cut them off as a form of retribution. I must admit when I was successful in “getting even” it felt rather good. The question remains, as a Christian, was my behavior supported by scripture and the teachings of Jesus?

When interpreting scripture, sometimes we forget to look at the context for the time it was written. Maybe there was a good reason for a car to cut in front of me such as to avoid hitting something, or someone, in the road ahead of them. My point is, retaliation for real or perceived injustices toward us, rarely serves any purpose other than to satisfy our personal desire for revenge.  When we interpret scripture in a manner to support our own beliefs and desires instead of the high expectations Jesus requires of us, we fall short of living up to our Christian faith. My prayer is we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to live faithful lives so those around us can see that we are Christians by our love.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.                   1 Thessalonians 5:15  

~Pastor Donnie

Pastor's Discretionary Fund

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.
Advent Sunday School

“An Unlikely Advent” our Advent Bible Study will begin on Sunday Dec. 1,2024 at 11 am.
Perhaps more than any other holiday, Christmas is heavy on the decorations. Many homes and church feature a Nativity scene: a re-creation of Jesus’ birth consisting of figurines representing people who were present for Jesus’ birth or who arrived shortly after.

A typical Nativity includes baby Jesus in a manger, Mary and Joseph, some shepherds, one or more angels, three wise men, and assorted animals. Not only do shepherds and magi surround Jesus in our Nativity scenes, but they also are the subject of the songs we sing and the stories we tell to the children.

In addition to these well-known Nativity scene figures, there are other people we meet in the story of Jesus’ birth whom we rarely, if ever, see in our Christmas decorations. Before we meet Mary and Joseph, the Gospel of Luke introduces us to Elizabeth and Zechariah, parents of John the Baptist. During Matthew’s story of the magi or wise men, we run into King Herod, the villain in the Christmas story. Like the shepherds and magi, these other figures can teach us important lessons about who we are as children of God and followers of Christ.

Our four week study will take a closer look at some of the unlikely people we encounter in the stories about Jesus’ birth.

These will be open sessions so don’t worry if you cannot make all 4 Sundays. Join us when you can. Please bring a bible. We will also have bibles available.
The Church Mouse
The Church Mouse

The Church Mouse

“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7

Overflowing with Thankfulness

Sometimes it takes a season of hardship, loss, and suffering to remind us of all we have been given—and to appreciate how God provides. Certainly, the early Pilgrims to our country faced struggles far beyond what they imagined in the new, untamed wilderness. Without the help of Native Americans willing to share food and to teach them how to farm and to hunt, the first colonists would have likely perished in only a few months.

But God prepared a way and brought others into their lives who could help them discover methods of survival. Their new lifestyle certainly wasn’t as easy as they may have hoped, but the Lord strengthened them and provided for them nonetheless.

As the celebration of Thanksgiving begins a season of feasting, celebrating, and partying, let’s not lose sight of worshipping together, thanking our Creator for the many ways he has blessed each of us.
November Mission –Rocky Mountain Kids

Rocky Mountain Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to working with teenagers who have experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect. We oversee three residential facilities which focus on treatment and one boys foster home that is an option for some of our boys to be placed into after completing our program. At any given point we can have up to 10 girls, and 8 boys in our treatment programs and we typically stay at around 4 boys in our foster home.

A majority of our kids are connected with the foster care system in some way and have often gone through unspeakable tragedies. It is a sad truth that teenagers can get lost and forgotten in the system and that there usually just isn't enough resources and homes available for them. On top of this, any kid that comes into our program presents with behavioral issues that prevent them from doing well in traditional home settings. This puts all of our youth at a disadvantage in an already unfair system.

Our youth can come from a variety of places, including juvenile detention, mental hospitalizations, unstable home environments, etc., and our hope is to get them to the least restrictive level of care possible. We do this by building up the skills needed for our youth to transition into the home setting and be able to function in the community as normal teenagers. Our programs are set in a normal house with the kids going out into the community on a daily basis. We also assist with helping them learn life skills like cooking, cleaning a house, budgeting, emancipation skills, etc. We truly wish to invest in the future of our youth and believe that any kid deserves a chance to change their life for the better. The organization has helped hundreds of teenagers change their lives and we hope to continue doing this for hundreds of more teenagers.

 Addison Ford, RMK Administrator 719-424-5655
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 Valerie Cox @ 660-2446 or Valerie.cox29@outlook.com
Take a Turkey to Church Sunday November 10th

We have the opportunity to help Crossfire Ministries feed needy members of our community this Thanksgiving.

They are planning on giving out 2,000 turkeys for this Thanksgiving. All you need to do is bring a frozen turkey to church November 10th. Crossfire will pick them up from our church and keep them in their freezers until they hand them out. Let's all pitch in and help!!

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.
Christmas Chorus

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.

We rehearse for an hour, 7:30 - 8:30p the first 4 Mondays of November and then sing at retirement communities the next three Thursdays. We will start up on the 4th of November and look forward to seeing some of you here at the church in the Choir Room.
INFORMATION SHEET FOR BAKERS AND HELPERS
WITH SAINT PAUL’S UMC SECOND ANNUAL
COOKIE WALK

 
BAKERS:
Calling all Men, Women, and Youth:
Get ready to Bake, Bake, BAKE………….
here’s the plan ………….

Bakers from the Church commit to baking several dozen homemade cookies. For this fund-raiser please fill out a Cookie Commitment Card showing the number of dozens of homemade Christmas-type cookies you are willing to bake. Place your Cookie Commitment Card in the labeled box at the Cookie Walk Station located in the foyer.

Our target is to receive cookie commitments totaling 400 dozen!  A Cookie Commitment Card will be in the Bulletin every Sunday, and extras at the Cookie Walk Station in the foyer about a month before the Cookie Walk event.

Bakers can make their cookies as plain or fancy as they like; however, the more festive-looking cookies are often picked first. Cookies should NOT be larger than a 1 1/2” diameter Oreo cookie. The smaller size cookie allows shoppers to fit more variety into their purchased Large or Small boxes. For safety and sanitation purposes, shoppers are given plastic gloves to wear when selecting their cookies.  Bakers will deliver their cookies in boxes (shirt gift boxes) or decorative tins or plastic containers with lids, to SPUMC on
Friday, December 6th between 9am-4pm, OR on Saturday, December 7th before 8:45am.
 
   All Bakers should display the names/type of cookies on their boxes. We will have separate tables for cookies with NUTS and those WITHOUT NUTS. If any are SUGAR-, or GLUTEN-FREE, label these as well. If you want your container returned, label with your name. 
 
HELPERS:
Calling all Men, Women, and Youth:
Get ready to help us do several tasks as follows…..
On Friday, December 6th between 9am-4pm, 
we need to do the following….
· Decorate tables
· Prepare a coffee hospitality area
· Put labels on customers cookie boxes
· Line each box with plastic bags
· Prepare a greeting area to distribute plastic gloves to ALL customers
· Tape signage around the building for directions to Fellowship Hall
· Prepare a check-out area
· Prepare one holding table to stack cookie boxes, gloves, and aprons.
· Prepare one holding table for cookies w/ NUTS, SUGAR-, OR GLUTEN-FREE cookies
· Receive cookies from Bakers and arrange according to type
On Saturday, December 7th, 
COOKIE WALK begins at 9:00am. 
 
Helpers can sign up for 2 hours from 9:00 – 11:00 ……OR……one-hour shifts - 9:00-10:00 / 10:00 – 11:00

 Signup sheets for shifts are on the Cookie Walk Station area. Please arrive 15 minutes before shift begins.
  
 · Helpers will wear a unisex apron with church logo during their shift (10 aprons will be provided)
 · Accept cookies from Bakers who deliver them before 9:00. Arrange them according to type.
 · 3 Helpers needed at greeting area to distribute boxes and required plastic gloves to ALL customers.
 · 3 Helpers needed at the check-out area to calculate cost of purchased items and provide receipt.
 · Helpers will remove empty cookie containers and rearrange table with other cookies.

 Helpers should walk among the guests and answer questions as needed.
   
Many thanks in advance to those of you who are generously giving your time and effort to make this fund-raiser a success. If you have any questions, call
 Cynthia Hibbetts – 214-600-0849 and leave a voicemail. 
 Grace and peace to you all. 

November Birthdays

Elaine Biever 11/1
Bryan Critchlow 11/3
Clara Richter 11/10
Dean Heikkila 11/16
Rich Fletcher 11/18
Kayla Bruce 11/20
Nancy Gehrung 11/30 

November Anniversaries

Mark & Chris Rankin
November 28, 1998
26 Years

Schedule of Weekly Online & In-Person Events

View our calendar online

Sunday
9:30a Worship & Youth Sunday School
9:45a Children’s Sunday School
10:30a Fellowship Time
10:45a Exalt!
11:00a Adult Sunday School
5:00p Youth Group at Calvary UMC

Monday
6:30p Jubilee Bells
7:00p Vocal Fusion
7:30p Barbershop

Tuesday
11:00a  Line Dancing

Wednesday
8:30a Wednesday Morning Bible Study
6:30p Sanctuary Choir

Thursday
9:30a Friendship Bible Study
5:00p Brewing Faith

Upcoming Events

November Events                                                                                         

11/3 Daylight Savings
11/4 7:30p Christmas Chorus begins
11/6 Deadline for Veterans’ Pictures
11/10 Take a Turkey to Church
11/11 Office closed for Veterans’ Day
11/12 5:00p  DKG in Waddill Hall
11/14 6:00p Finance Committee
11/19 6:00p Church Council
11/21 11:30a Worship Committee
11/21 6:00p Trustee Committee
11/28 Office closed for Thanksgiving
11/30 9:00a Hanging of the Greens
 
December Events

12/1 First Sunday of Advent
12/7 9:00a Cookie Walk
12/8 Second Sunday of Advent
12/10 5:00 p DKG in Waddill Hall
12/12 6:00p Finance Meeting
12/14 11:00a Woody Woods Celebration of Life
12/15 Third Sunday of Advent
12/17 6:00p Church Council
12/18 6:00p Blue Christmas
12/19 11:30a Worship Committee
12/19 6:00p Trustees Meeting
12/22 Fourth Sunday of Advent
            Christmas Cantata

12/24 Christmas Eve
            5:00p Children’s Service
            7:00p Candlelight and Carols Service

12/25-12/26 Office is closed
12/29 Pastor Donnie Preaching
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