Worship Times

Sunday Morning

8:00 am & 10:30 am

Sunday School

9:15am

Contact Us

Pastor: The Rev. Rick Ohsiek

Phone: 865-982-4285

Fax: 865-977-8070

Email: splchurch@bellsouth.net

Web: www.stpaulmaryville.org

Church Office Hours:

Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm

THE GOOD NEWS

December 2014 EditionDecember 2014 EditionDecember 2014 Edition

Maryville, TN

Christmas Eve

Candlelight Service with Holy Communion

Wednesday, December 24, 2014 7:00pm & 11:00pm

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60 years of St. Paul History

St. Paul Lutheran Church owes its beginning to the groundwork done in 1953

by Don and Margaret Richardson, who moved from Ohio to the Village of

Maryville, with a population of 9,000 and no Lutheran Church.

After meeting in homes for a

time, the congregation was

officially organized on

December 5, 1954, with 54

charter members.

The first church purchased was at the corner of College

and Ellis. In 1955 a parsonage was purchased and the

first full-time permanent pastor was called, Pastor

Carlton Pelsecker.

In 1957 the congregation faced a challenge: McGee

Tyson Airbase was closed and the Alcoa plant cut back.

Many members left the area to find jobs. At one point

only eight people came together to worship.

In spite of these setbacks, the church continued to grow

and in 1962 a new A-frame church opened on Old Niles

Ferry. By 1969 an addition was added,

with a library and classroom space. As

the sanctuary became crowded, an

expansion on the property completed in

1986 provided a larger sanctuary and the

A-frame was used for nursery and

classroom space.

St. Paul’s 60th

Anniversary Celebration

December 7, 2014 ~ 10:00am

ONE WORSHIP SERVICE ONLY Bishop Julian Gordy is preaching. A catered Luncheon will follow at approximately 11:45am

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St. Paul became part of a new church when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed in 1988.

In addition to changing names of some ministries (like are women’s group from LCW to WELCA), we also

started our Men in Mission ministry. Our women’s and men’s ministries have been active on the local, synod,

and churchwide levels; something few congregations can claim.

In 1991, St. Paul hired the first administrative staff. Nell Moore

was hired as a part-time secretary. It was also during this year that

our congregation helped start the Food

Connection of Blount County, a wonderful ministry that

continues to feed many in need. A new organ and keyboard were

added in 1993 as memorials and St. Paul celebrated with a day of

music. Marsha Wynn began as a volunteer choir director.

St. Paul continued to grow and by 2000 a decision was made to

purchase a new property and build a new church better able to meet the needs of the future. Pastor Scottie

Burkhalter was called to serve in 2001 and presided over the ground-

breaking for the new church. During Easter week in 2002, worship was

held in the new sanctuary on Sandy Springs Road.

After Pastor Burkhalter left in 2006, St. Paul was served by a part-time

interim pastor, David Webb, for two years. 2007 saw the beginnings of

Family Promise, a ministry to help homeless families. Once the

organization was established, our church building was used one week

each quarter to house up to about 15 people.

In June of 2008 members from St. Paul traveled down to South Carolina to

participate in the ordination of Pastor Kevin Strickland and then welcomed him

as the pastor of St. Paul. Pastor Kevin remained until 2011. He now serves a

Director for Worship for the ELCA.

After Pastor Kevin left for a new call, Interim Pastor Duane

Salness lead us through the transition period of calling a

new pastor and through some difficult financial times

because of the economic down turn in 2009. To reduce the

mortgage, of almost $1 million, St. Paul began a three year capital campaign. Now, three

years later the economy has rebounded and St. Paul's mortgage has been reduced to

$363,000, leaving the congregation in a much better financial

position and poised to step out in new directions.

Pastor Rick Ohsiek, who began serving in January 2013, is assisting in developing

this vision.

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PASTOR AND CHURCH COUNCIL

The St. Paul Church Council meets monthly on the 3rd Monday at 7:30pm.

Rick Anger – President

angerrick@gmail.com

Mike Culross - Vice President

maculross@msn.com

Carolyn Speck – Council Secretary

jspeck1@charter.net

Loda Wylie – Treasurer - lodarae@yahoo.com

Jan Hanes - jehanes@bellsouth.net Brian Kaufman - briannk3@yahoo.com

Shirley Lips - thequilthaus@yahoo.com Marianne Searfoss - msearfos@gmail.com

Nan Wylie - nurseonthego@charter.net Kris Zimmer - rcztn1@charter.net

Church Council

A Message from Pastor Rick: Keeping a Holy Advent

Advent is a season of preparation, waiting, and hope. Personally, I really enjoy the quiet and calm of this

season. Singing liturgies like Holden Evening Prayer on Wednesdays is one of my favorite things to do during

the year. The simplicity of its music and message help me get ready for the coming of Christ.

Unfortunately, the rest of the world does not like to practice the calm and quiet of Advent. We rush to get all

of our pre-Christmas activities and shopping done, and seem to have no tome to slow down and wait. Our

consumer driven society begins to push Christmas about a day after Halloween.

How do we recognize and celebrate Advent in the middle of all this business and chaos? How do we take time

to prepare for the coming of the Holy One when the rest of the world does not seem to really care?

Observing Advent takes intentionality on our part. While at worship we will make sure Advent is observed, it

will take a little effort on your part to do this at home.

To help you, here are some suggestions;

1)Create some Advent space in your home.

Make a simple Advent wreath to light each night, or spend some

time at home using only candles for light.

2)Dedicate some extra time for prayer.

Spend time listening for God’s message to you, not just asking

God for everything you want or need. Remember, God is NOT

Santa. There are also some good Advent devotionals available

online. One is found at http://www.luthersem.edu/advent/. You

can either print the entire book or sign up to have the devotions

emailed to you each day.

3) Establish a “no noise time”.

Take some time to just be in silence with no TV or other sounds

getting in your way. Take some time to just be.

These are just a few ways to start making a conscious effort to prepare for Christ’s coming. I pray that each of

you have a blessed and holy Advent.

Peace,

Pastor Rick

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SYNOD NEWS

St. Paul will participate through our Wednesday Advent Service Offering

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PASTOR AND CHURCH COUNCIL

Merl Krull & Jean Beck - Coordinators

Calling all Hand Bell Choir members

Because of the “nudge” or calling that I felt God was giving

me, I am getting the Hand Bell choir together for a Christmas

Eve performance. All practices will be on Tuesday evenings at

6:00 p.m.

Please put these dates on your calendar: November 25, Decem-

ber 2, 9, 16, and 23. We will be working on technique, count-

ing, playing, symbols, etc. We will be playing 1 or 2 pieces,

and one will be “Carol of the Bells”. I’m looking forward to

working with each of you and spreading God’s love through

the wonderful sound of bells. ~ Marsha Wynn

Hand Bell Practice

Tuesdays ~ 6:00pm

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

Mid-week Advent Worship Wednesday’s in December

Holden Evening Prayer Service

6:15pm

A Message From the Council President Now that we are in the holiday season it is time for us

not to forget that God has given us so much to be

thankful for and to pray for those who are not as fortu-

nate. I wish to thank everyone who participated in the

Congregational meeting and especially thank Joel

Searfoss for the help in preparing the meal. I also want

to thank everyone that brought the delicious food that

we were able to share. Christmas is just around the

corner and during these festive times we also know

that it can be a little stressful. With that in mind let us

remember what Christmas is all about. It's easy to get

all caught up in buying gifts, decorating trees and

homes and dealing with the Christmas Card lists but to

me Christmas is the celebration of the coming of

Christ. What does Christmas mean to you ?

In closing I want to take this time to thank Kris

Zimmer and Brian Kaufman for there time on the

2014 St. Paul Church Council. There dedication to

serving at St. Paul is impossible to measure so again

we thank you. I also want to welcome our 2 new

members Beth Drane and Greg Caldwell to the 2015

Council. The Council is made up of all volunteers and

I truly appreciate everything they do for this church.

Happy Holidays to all. Yours in Christ,

Rick Anger

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Winnie Johnson - Coordinator

Youth Schedule ~ December

Wednesday Chill –4:00-5:30(come anytime)

Hangout, do Homework, play basketball, listen

to music… Advent Soup Supper is at 5:30pm.

Wednesday, December 10th ~ 7:00pm-8:00pm

~NYG meeting

Sunday, December 21st – Youth are Greeters (both

services)- always on the third Sunday each month

Friday, December 26th ~ SPY 2.0 Lunch & A Movie

Friday, January 2, 2015

7:00pm ~ Lock-in

Celebrating the New Year. Bring

a Snack and your sleeping bag.

Weekly Advent Devotional A different devotion will be available each week of

Advent. Find them on the Usher Table.

For the past five years, the presiding bishops of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, The Anglican

Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church have met

to share with one another, to advocate for creation and

the environment and to call members to prayer for

situations of war and turmoil. At their most recent meet-

ing, the leaders agreed to provide Advent devotions for

the four churches. Members are encouraged to use and

share these devotions during the season of preparation

for the coming of our Lord. ELCA Presiding Bishop

Elizabeth Eaton provides the devotions for the first week

of Advent.

Sunday, December 21st ~ 9:30am

Join us in the “Future”

to hear the Christmas Story for the first time. Imagine a time when Christ is forgotten; a time when the Christmas story is untold.

Can’t happen you say? Let’s look into the future and see …

St. Paul Children/Adult Sunday School and Choir present: “What Is Xmas Anyway?” a Reader’s Theater

Play in one act. Join us between services in the Fellowship Hall and rediscover how important it is to share the

Good News of the Christ Child.

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Rene Zimmer - Coordinator

A volunteer is needed to coordinate the

Fellowship Teams.

Contact Rene Zimmer

if you are interested.

10:30 Service

Fellowship Teams

December 7 60th Celebration Luncheon

December 14 Mark & Elaine Fisher,

Beth & Bill Drane

December 21 Barb & Bob Miller,

Sylvia & JB Johnson

December 28 Dorine Keeble,

Jacqueline & Dana Conzemius

Each team is responsible for setting up and cleaning up

the Fellowship time after the 10:30 service.

ADVENT SOUP SUPPER

(Rotation of responsibilities is alphabetically by last name.)

SET UP: (Arrive at 5:00pm) – Drinks (coffee & water) set out cups, make coffee, fill water pitchers –

Drinks need to be maintained during the meal Set out Bowls, Plates, Napkins, Spoons, and food when it ar-

rives

SOUP: Please bring food by 5:15pm – We serve at 5:30

CLEAN UP: (Begins at 6:05pm) –Clear drinks station, clean coffee pots/carafes, Wipe down tables/counters,

Wash any dishes(NOT crock-pots or plates that people brought), Take out trash, take any towels/dishcloths

home to be washed.

DATE SET UP SOUP or

SANDWICHES

CLEAN

UP

DEC 3 A-G G-M N-Z

DEC 10 G-M N-Z A-G

DEC 17 N-Z A-G G-M

Bring your favorite Christmas Cookie/treat for everyone to share.

December 21st ~ During Fellowship time after the 10:30 service

The Jolly ol’ Elf will make a visit ~ as portrayed by Art Hafner

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55+ 55+

AdultsAdults

Carla McMillion- Coordinator

Spam Members Our December Christmas

get together will be held at O’Charley’s,

Dec.16 at 2:00pm. Join us for a fun luncheon,

please sign up on the sheet on our bulletin

board. We will select from the menu.

See you there!

All men of the church are

invited to our

Christmas Dinner.

Friday, December 5th

6:00pm

Sullivan’s, 121 W. Broadway, Maryville,

Please let Chris Mallette (984-5396) or Rene

Zimmer (406-9016) know if you are coming.

Thrivent Action Team Events

Thanksgiving Baskets, The Children and Youth

filled 16 baskets with

your generous

donations. The

Thrivent Action

dollars purchased

turkeys and other

perishable items for

the baskets.

Conference 6 Youth Day, we hosted 40 people

who helped make

200 sandwiches

which were taken

into our community;

Habitat build site,

Family Promise work

site, Women’s

shelter, and the Food

Connection.

When given a

lunch at the Food

Connection one

lady said “The

Grace of God is

here”.

The youth meet

new people and

served in their

community

together.

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December 2014

Birthdays &

Anniversaries

December 4 Madelyn Carpenter

December 5 Dan Wynn

December 6 Judy Krull

December 6 Jenna Burts

December 8 James McMillion

December 9 Andrea Joyal

December 10 Dale Biehler

December 12 John Beck

December 12 Joel Searfoss

December 13 Ann Jordan

December 14 Delores Block

December 15 Elaine Fisher

December 16 Olivia DaCruz

December 18 Larry Galyon

December 20 Mary Schopmann

December 22 Jeremy Snoderly

December 23 Emily Moritz

December 25 Rachel Kaufman

December 26 Ethel Duff

December 27 Tina Cusano

December 27 Kathy Kaun

December 30 Erika Hanes

ANNIVERSARIES December 1 Ken & Neenah Dressler

December 2 Roland & Bertha Franks

December 7 Steve & Linda Zrioka

December 16 Gloria & Carl Leonard

December 16 Jeremy & Courtney Snoderly

December 20 Claude & Tena Abbott

December 23 Heinz & Shirley Lips

December 23 Robert & Marsha Bryant

December 26 James & Norma Watson

December 28 Mark & Elaine Fisher

December 28 Rick & Elizabeth Anger

December 29 Dan & Marsha Wynn

December 30 Curly & Sarah Wainwright

Sharing Christ’s Love With the World

429 Sandy Springs Road Maryville, TN 37803

Dates of Interest

Check Calendar for times and places

*Notice* Church Office Closed ~ December 25th - January 2nd Discipleship: Sunday. December 21st ~ Christmas Program

Fellowship: Wednesday’s ~ Soup Supper Sunday, December 21st ~ Christmas Cookie/Treat Pot-luck

Parish Life: Friday, December 5th ~ Men’s Christmas Dinner Monday, December 8th ~ WELCA, Bee Keeper’s Dinner Tuesday, December 16th ~ SPAM Christmas Luncheon

Worship: Sunday, December 7th ~ 60th Anniversary Celebration ~ ONE SERVICE ONLY 10:00am Wednesday’s ~ Mid-Week Advent Services Wednesday, December 24th ~ Christmas Eve Services Sunday, December 28th ~ Lessons & Carols ~ ONE SERVICE ONLY 10:30am