February 2026

As I write this newsletter, we have just come through a blisteringly cold weekend where the temperatures got down in the negatives and the roads were covered with ice. These things remind me that we are indeed in the season of winter. Although it is still cold outside and the ground is still covered in snow and ice, the sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and there is hope on the horizon for brighter days ahead.
The same is true for our internal and external worlds. Perhaps you too have been through a difficult season. Perhaps the news you have encountered has caused you grief, heartbreak, sorrow, anger, or frustration. You are not alone.
But we as Christians are not people that live in despair or hopelessness. We move in action and hope. We work in healing and wholeness. We love through difficult times and we refuse to let the coldest headlines have the last word.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
— Romans 15:13
That verse doesn’t pretend everything is fine. It names the real need: we need filling. We need power. We need hope that isn’t just optimistic self-talk, but something God grows in us quietly, like roots working under frozen ground.
So if you’re weary, tender, or carrying anger and grief right now: you’re not failing at your faith. You’re human. And you don’t have to carry it alone. This is one of the reasons the church exists. We are a people who practice hope together: praying when someone else can’t find words, showing up with a meal, telling the truth, doing justice, extending mercy, and choosing love even when it's hard and the ground is covered in ice.
May the God of hope meet you this month with steady courage, unexpected joy, and the kind of peace that can hold you up when it feels like the world is wearing you down. May we be a community that helps each other notice the light returning one small faithful step at a time.

February's Mission focus is TESSA. TESSA was founded on January 1,1977. TESSA offers confidential support and services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and their children through a number of services. TESSA staff provide help in crisis situations through a Safe Line. Works with victims to create safety plans and connects victims with other community services. TESSA's Safehouse provides shelter, food, case management, housing assistance, counseling and support to female survivors and their children. The TESSA Team helps victims navigate the criminal justice system, provides legal assistance and connects victims with community resources. TESSA team members provide counseling, case management, support groups and fun group activities for kids both in and out of the TESSA Safehouse. Finally, TESSA Therapists provide individual and group psychotherapy, as well as the therapeutic support groups for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

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.

I want to say a tremendous THANK YOU first, to everyone who volunteered to help with Fellowship clean-up in 2025. You don't know how much your willingness to help is appreciated.

Secondly, THANK YOU to everyone who donated "goodies" for Christmas Eve. It is a special way we welcome all our guests on that special night.

It only takes about 20 minutes of Sunday mornings to do Fellowship clean-up. There is a sign-up sheet that covers two months at a time, this is passed around during service the sign-up for March and April will be passed around the middle of February and then be on the Volunteer table. Please help out and pick a Month that will work for you!

*February 17, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & a Movie

*March 29, Palm Sunday Potluck, Ham will be provided.
Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert to serve 10.

*April 2, Maundy Thursday Soup and service

Support St. Paul’s Youth!

Did you notice zucchini growing by the church’s main entrance this past summer? The youth learned about Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:2-9 and Luke 8:4-8) as they tended their own small zucchini patch. Well, the fruits of their labor include extra zucchini and the kids will be baking and then hosting a bake sale Sunday February 8th in Waddell Hall following the morning worship service. Yes, there will be zucchini bread and muffins - but there will be a whole lot more!

The money they earn will help to fund future youth activities. Please support their good endeavors by purchasing lots of delicious goodies!

On February 17th we will hold our Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. What will be different is that the Staff and Church Leadership members will do the cooking and serving.
We will start serving at 5pm and continue through the movie. The movie “The Way” will begin at 5:30pm. The Lenten sermon series will be based on this movie.

Our menu will consist of sausage and bacon, eggs, and of course pancakes. We will have free gluten options available.

The funds that are raised by your generous donations, minus expenses, will be shared by 3 of our Community Events…Pumpkin Carving and dinner, Trunk or Treat, and the Family Christmas Event.

Our Lenten Study is “The Way” Study by Adam Hamilton. We will begin on Sunday, Feb. 22nd and conclude on Sunday, March 22nd.

We will embark on a most significant journey, we will be walking in the footsteps of Jesus during the course of his ministry. Along the way we will listen to Jesus teach, watch him perform miracles, spend time with his friends (not always the top tier of society!). and find yourself transformed. The book and video components of this study will “put you on the ground,” seeing and experiencing the things Jesus saw as he traveled the length and breadth of Galilee and Judea. This is not just a study of geography or history. It is a call to discipleship.

The study book is available on Amazon:

Paperback - $10.39
Kindle - $9.87
Audiobook - $10.49

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.

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.

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.

We will be collecting coats for Springs Rescue Mission. A box is located in the Narthex.

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

Thank you everyone for the cards, prayers and well wishes after this last surgery. I am recovering well I just need to allow myself to rest. Thank you again for being the wonderful church family you have always been too me.

Thank you again,
Rachel Ford

Doug Meikle 2/2
Sharon Johnson 2/6
Elaine Bechtelheimer 2/10
Marty Brandt 2/10
Tyler Reese 2/13
Solana Henao 2/22
Jay Walters 2/22
Annie Marie Young 2/23
Gloria Brooks 2/24
Linda Waldroop 2/25

Gerry & Kerry Cooper
February 6, 1982
43 Years

Tom & Sharie Dane
February 14, 1994
31 Years

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