Vol. 14, No.

St. Paul Lutheran 15156 E. Pony Hill Rd. Nevada, MO 64772 417-667-7209 (O) stpaulnevadamo @gmail.com Rev. Christopher Deines Pastor 417-667-4873 Christopherdeines @gmail.com Worship 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

THE

January 2014

E p is t l e of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Nevada, MO

Thanks to all who made the 2013 Christmas program such a joy

If you missed the program, it can be seen on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=CJP1SYXbur0 Thanks to Rebecca Manels father, Iwen Mannel, for taking the video and posting on the St. Paul Facebook page.

Everyone at St. Paul appreciates our two wonderful organists: Vicky Liley and Sarah Lathrop you are the best!

Carol Janes and Grace Harold made all St. Paul social events special during 2013. Thanks for all your work on the congregational life committee.

A Thank You going out to:

Congratulations are in Order:

Bethany Willman Jennings graduated from Crowder College with an Associate of Arts degree in December. Vivienne Wren Spangler, daughter of Chad and Jill Spangler was baptized on December 29.

To Reanna Villagomez for sharing her vocal talent Christmas Eve and once again to Sarah Lathrop and Vicki Liley, our great organists. To Jerry and Carol Janes for this months Thrivent deposit. To Kathy Poe and her committee for decorating the church for Christmas To Wayne Reinert who has served on the Missouri Plains Chapter of Thrivent for the past six years. And to Chelsea Dines who has volunteered to take his place. To Russell Hogan for fixing the sofa in the library. Its now so that one can sit on it and easily get up. To Amber Ogle who spearheaded a Care in the Community project purchasing gloves and hats for children in need in Nevada. Funding was provided by Thrivent.

To those who purchased poinsettias: Larry & Nancy Kerbs Paul & Ann Hirschman Dyke & Becky Kiel Jack & Sarah Lathrop David & Patsy McCullough Susie Knuteson Fred & Anna Seewoester Wayne & Mary Reinert Jeanne Craig Byergo Family

Saying Goodbye: Ryan and Lola Quick have

sold their house and are moving to Agency, Missouri.

Coming Soon: All photos have been submitted for the new St. Paul Directory. It should be coming soon.

A huge thanks to:

Dyke Kiel for the three years he has spent on the St. Paul Council. Dyke has served the congregation in many ways especially with worship and music. He is always there when needed; thanks, Dyke. Fred Seewoester who has served as council president for St. Paul during 2013. St. Paul accomplished many things during the year thanks to his leadership. And, thanks again for his willingness to serve for another term. Thanks, Fred. Linda Rogers who has been serving as the St. Paul financial secretary and has also agreed to serve another term. Being financial secretary takes a lot of time and her work is appreciated. Thanks, Linda

St. Paul received thanks from:

Central States Synod - "We thank you for helping with the transition into this new future with your one time gift of $100 on December 12, 2013 to the Central States Synod to help cover the costs of the transition. Your willingness to be in partnership with others help us as a synod to move forward. Thank you for your prayerful response to our request as we are changed by love, sent in love to serve." "Thank you so much for your generous donation of $390 to the Smile Clinic. With the generous support of people like you, we are able to help many families not only to meet their dental needs, but also to work toward a brighter future and smile." Ann Carlos, Director, Smile Clinic.

Its a Spiritual Practice

I sit here with brisk winds howling outside, and a warm cup of coffee in hand and looking at the numerous books on my shelf. I think about how many of them I have not fully read. I wont lie, Ive read some of the books and well, life comes a calling, which only allows me to get a few chapters into the book. I have never been much for reading, but my collection of books says differently. However, on this particular day I have found myself flipping through books, wanting to dive into them and fulfill the promise I made when acquiring them, I will get to it someday. I am eager to do some of this reading for fun, not because I have to like I did in seminary, or for preparation of a sermon or something else. A while back one of the confirmation students asked me if I have read the whole Bible, which came during a conversation about the importance of scripture and reading it, and thinking about how this affects our faith. My response to the student was simply, no. However, I have read the Bible in bits and pieces perhaps more than once, but not from cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation. I have started with my colleagues to do so, but alas didnt finish the ninety-day read through of the Bible. I have several Bibles that outline to do so in a year, and they take their place the bookshelf. It makes me want to turn over a new leaf, to start something new, to do some of that reading that I have put off for a few years. Perhaps this new year rolls I could make a commitment to do some of this reading, and pick up where I left off in reading through the Bible. With so many of us that make these commitments or resolutions, it seems like in the beginning of this new calendar year we have a new fresh start. Turning the page of our lives, uncovering areas in our lives that we lack, indulge, or even idolatrize. I will not prescribe anything for your life; however, I do invite you to join me in a ninety-day reading of the Bible, or in the course of the year. For the past few years the ELCA has emphasized the reading and grounding our lives on the Word of God, the scriptures, the Bible. During our discussion, a confirmation student asked if they read the Bible once if they need to read it again, to which my reply was simply yes. I told them that we could read passages and think about different things no matter how much we read. It is a spiritual practice to read the Bible, to read about the prophets, the Kings, the stories of healing, the Psalms of lament, the writings of Paul; and about the birth the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is something that we can do now, next week, next year, and forever as we continue to have live in faith. Whether we reach the goals we set out to meet, or whether we fail, we live in a reality that we are loved by a merciful God, purely just because. If you would like an outline for reading scripture daily, please let me know! Peace, Pastor Chris

Thirst
What is Thirst? A mens gathering with open and honest conversation with friends (new and old!) about things that matter. When is Thirst? January 23, 2014 8pm-10pm (Beginning in FebruaryThirst will be held on the third Thursday of each month) Where is Thirst? Pastor Chris house The format is simple. Beer, conversation, and God. Everything is up for discussion, no assumptions, no barriers to entry. The topic will arise out of the conversation so come thirsty with questions about faith, God, and theology. Pastor Chris will have the beer on tap for people to drink, if its not your speed, then feel free to bring a few of your own. Coffee will also be brewed .

from the President Elect..

I feel honored to be the President Elect at St. Paul. This Church has been deeply rooted in my heart for many, many years. As I sat on Christmas Eve looking around at all the families that were there....my mind went back to those "kids" sitting in the pews with their kids. We are so blessed to have generations of families that worship at our Church. God is alive and well at St Paul Lutheran Church! I look forward to worshipping with each and everyone of you in 2014. If I can be of service to you, please let me know. Larry and I wish you the very best in 2014!! See you on Sunday morning!! Sam DeLaney From Stewardship: I want to thank Dave McCullough and Wayne Reinert for serving on the Stewardship committee with me this past year. They really helped to keep the focus of stewardship going at St. Paul Lutheran Church. I encourage everyone as they make their New Year's Resolutions this year to take a moment to think about how they show their stewardship at Church and around the Community. What can you do differently?? How can you increase your show of stewardship?? Sam DeLaney

St. Paul Lutheran Church Council 2014

President Sam DeLaney 667-5651 samdelaney@yahoo.com Vice-President Bethany Sewart 667-6685 bethgood199@hotmail.com Treasurer Mary Reinert 667-5303 maryreinert@gmail.com Secretary Mitchelle Hall 549-0132 mitchelleh@gmail.com Financial Secretary Linda Rogers 448-5755 Building & Grounds Russell Hogan 465-2401 russellhogan@dishmail.net Congregational Life Grace Harrold 465-2241 Carol Janes 922-3413 jerryjanes@live.com Education Bethany Stewart 667-6685 bethgood199@hotmail.com Evangelism Mitchelle Hall 448-1675 mitchelleh@gmail.com Stewardship Fred Seewoester 667-3231 fjapseewoester@yahoo.com Worship and Music Caroline Phillips 321-3587 bcphillips@klmtel.net

St. Paul January Volunteers

January Birthdays Deanna Ness Danny Creech Kent Abele Michael Sitz Ellen Byergo Neala McHugh Tessa Cadle Marjorie Johnson Marvin Klotz Fred Funkhouser Bethany Stewart Mia DeLaney Jennifer Doyle January Anniversaries Rusty & Jennifer Doyle Greg & Reanna Villagomez Alex & Ramona Reiter

January 1 January 5 January 6 January 6 January 6 January 7 January 16 January 23 January 23 January 23 January 25 January 25 January 28 January 1, 2009 January 1, 2011 January 4, 2007

January 5 Worship at 11:00 Sunday School at 9:45 See you there!

January Congregational Life Committee:

Marvin & Linda Klotz Nancy Kerbs Rex & Ellen Byergo Russ & Tammy Hogan Greg & Reanna Villagomez 667-7636 944-2435 922-1014 465-2401 667-2541

Check our the St. Paul Facebook page for up-to-date info: www.facebook.com/StPaulNevada

St. Paul Lutheran Church 15156 E. Pony Hill Rd. Nevada, MO 64772