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St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 721 Twelfth Avenue, Huntington WV 25701

The mission of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church is to CELEBRATE and PROCLAIM to all the saving grace of JESUS CHRIST in word and deed.

Worship on Sunday Mornings at 10:00am

Adult Forum 11:15am in the parlor Sunday School 11:15am

COME AND WORSHIP! ALL ARE WELCOME!

SUNDAY, March 3

After worship

MARDI GRAS

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Pastor’s Reflections

This past week I attended a wonderfully informative Continuing Education event for the leaders of the West Virginia West-ern Maryland Synod. The meeting was up in the mountains at a state park – Blackwater Falls State Park. Our time together was filled with information/ discussion around the topic of opioids. The main leader for the event was from Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center. He was very engaging and helpful for all the rostered leaders gathered for the event.

Many of you know that Huntington has seen tough times regarding this crisis. We even (negatively) made national news when there were 28 over doses in one day! But I also hope than many of you know that Huntington is on the cutting edge of getting this crisis under control. You all are involved in this process by my attendance with the Quick Response Team. I generally am riding along with the Team two to three times a month. It has been a challenging and rewarding experience for me. This Team goes out to offer treatment for those who are in the thrones of substance abuse disorder.

All of this is important, and the workshop was extremely helpful for me. But I want to talk to you this month about my trip up and back to Blackwater Falls. First thing is I really don’t like making these up one day back the next day trips. My life rhythm gets all out of balance. I don’t sleep well. I stay up too late. I don’t eat well. Secondly, I really, really don’t like trav-eling to some place I have never been – especially when it involves mountains and mountainous roads.

I made up my mind this time to enjoy the time in the car, as monotonous as it is. Here is what I did. I listened to chant mu-sic. I looked at the beautiful mountains all around me. Monday the sun was shining, and it was a beautifully crystal-clear day. I noticed the trees looking like naked sticks going up and down the mountains. I noticed the wind turbine farm on a mountain top ridge. All this calmed my anxiousness about the trip.

But then I came home! Tuesday morning early a cold front came through bringing with it snow and wind. When I went out to my car to load it up for the trip home there was three inches of snow on it! I left a bit early and made the trek home. The GPS said it would take an additional 20 minutes. I brushed off the snow and headed SLOWLY down the mountain. I grew up in Northeast Ohio near what is called the snow belt. I knew I had to drive SLOW and deliberate.

My deliberateness calmed me once again. I also noticed the mountains. This time the trees and ground were filled with snow. The snow was sticking to the trees. It was a beautiful sight! God’s creation was alive! Amazingly, the roads were mostly clear. I just took my time and made it ahead of the GPS projected time.

Isn’t faith like this. One day beautiful sunshine and another cold and blowing snow. Too many times we let our fears cap-ture us. I was fearful and anxious about coming home on Tuesday. The “what if’s” kept running through my head. When I calmed these fears with out loud talk to God in the car my fears didn’t go away but I was able to manage and dare say en-joy my trip much more.

I pray this can be your experience in your faith journey. I pray you speak to God and you hear and know God’s presence through all the “trips” in life. Pastor Mackey <><

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A note from Jill...

As we begin the New year, we usually look for new beginnings or changes within ourselves. We make promises to diet or eat right, to exercise, to be more mindful of others, to give more or just simply try and be the best person we can be. We surely don’t have to wait for a new year to do these things. We are all children of God, today and everyday. With His love, grace and mercy we are called to simply love one another, help one another and be the child of God He has called us to be. January has come and gone in just a blink. Have you shone your light and love to others? The youth have kicked off the new year by moving the backpack program to a new home, upstairs in the office by the library. There is much more room in this office and the new plastic storage containers serve to keep foods fresh and safe. The backpack bags are now being packed in the library. This provides a suitable area to prepare and pack. We now have large totes to store the packed bags until time of delivery. We will purchase carrying bags to help those who help serve by delivering each month too. These changes will better serve the children packing and the adults deliver-ing. CCC and LYO have had our annual pizza and game night to welcome everyone back from the holidays and to jump start the new year with fun and fellowship. This always prove to be a fun and relaxing time. It is good to pick up where we left off and to genuinely enjoy the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our last meeting in January was a service project of bread making. The youth enjoy preparing and baking together in the kitchen. It is another way to shine our light and prepare about 4 months worth of communion bread made with love, in time for the Lenten season. In the year of our Lord 2019, we will continue to be children of God. We will love one another, we will serve one an-other and we will walk humbly with God! For “We Are Called”, Aren’t we? “We Are Called” Come! live in the light! Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord! We are called to be light for the kingdom, to live in the freedom of the city of God! Refrain: We are called to act with justice. We are called to love tenderly. We are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God. Come! Open your heart! Show your mercy to all those in fear! We are called to be hope for the hopeless, so all hatred and blindness will be no more! Sing! Sing a new song! Sing of that great day when all will be one! God will reign and we’ll walk with each other as sisters and brothers united in love! With these words, I leave you to think about shining your light and sharing the light and love of the Lord with every step you take in “your walk of Faith”. Love and Blessings to all! Your Loving sister in Christ, Jill May

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The second part of our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 10. We will have a light meal after worship and then celebrate our ministry of last year.

OFFERING ENVELOPES You will no longer be receiving your offering envelopes in the mail. We have gone back to the old system of getting a box of envelopes for the whole year. Please pick up your envelopes from the narthex. If you do not see a box with your name on it please see Linda Schneider or Kathy Mackey and we will get one for you.

PASSING OF THE PEACE: During this season of colds and flu we will continue to pass the peace as part of our worship time. However, please do not feel as if the only way to do this is through a hand shake. A simple wave or pat on the back works just as well. The important thing is to let your church family know that you wish them peace. Hand sanitizer is available at the end of each pew.

If you would like a statement of giving for 2018 please see Linda Schneider or email her at: albyla@zoominternet.net

The Book Club will be meeting on February 21 at 10:30am. We will be discussing “Unsheltered” by Barbara Kingsolver. Please join us!!

The SPLC Church Council is spending February 1 & 2 in a retreat at the Woodlands near Huntington. The retreat’s purpose is not only for spiritual renewal but also for planning the coming year. The Woodlands is generously offering the Council the space at no cost to the church except for meals. The Council will report to the congregation as to the progress made in planning for the various committees who keep our church running smoothly as well as provide worship, spiritual growth, outreach and evangelism, but most importantly spreading the Word! Council officers for 2019 are Pastor Mackey, president ex-officio; Steve Golder, vice-president; Norma Gensler, secretary; Andrew Wellman, treasurer; and Linda Schneider, financial secretary. Other elected members include Rick Eid, Chris Eid, Barbara Garnett, Neil Arneson, Jacqui Veres, Carolyn Fornash, John Scott, Bernadette Wellman, and Rick Veres. We ask for prayers for our spiritual growth as a team. Be sure to ask a council member about the retreat!

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Healing, Anointing and Communion Wednesday, February 20

7:00pm In the Chapel

MARDI GRAS SUNDAY, March 3

Following worship

Please join us for a brunch following The Service on Sunday, March 3 to celebrate Mardi Gras

(a couple of days early – somehow Dimanche Gras sounds kind of silly). Not only will there be

a great spread of breakfast food but also entertainment and a few surprises in store for every-

one. This will be a great time to mark the beginning of a new church season as well as enjoy

fellowship with church friends, good food, and fun entertainment! Donations will be appreci-

ated to cover the food with any amount over the actual cost going to our backpack ministry.

Beginning on March 10, the SPLC Fellowship committee is planning Lenten mid-week light sup-

pers before each Wednesday service. The menu for the dinners will be published in the prior

Sunday’s bulletin. Join us!

SAVE THE DATES - LENT MIDWEEK This year during Lent you will have two opportunities for Midweek worship. Pas-tor will lead a late morning worship (about 11:15 am) in the Chapel in addition to the evening service. The worship services will be identical except the evening ser-vice will have music. Also, the morning service will not have a meal beforehand.

The morning opportunity is for those who want to worship and are not able because of schedule to at-tend the evening services. The morning service should last no longer than 40 minutes. Below is a tenta-tive schedule of the worship services and meals. Ash Wednesday – March 6 11:15 a.m. in the Chapel 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Imposition of Ashes and Communion at both services - NO MEALS ON ASH WEDNESDAY Midweek Services – March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10 11:15 a.m. in the Chapel followed by meal out together for those who would like 6:00 p.m. Meal in the Undercroft followed by 7:00 p.m. worship in the Undercroft

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February 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10:00am Worship/

Installation of Council

Members

11:15am Sunday

School

1:30omPastor at Wood-

lands to lead worship

11:30am Yoga

1:00pm Women’s

Club

9:00am Quilters 6:00pm CCC/LYO

7:00pm Choir

Pastor at QRT

Noon Bible Study

7:00pm Southside

Neighborhood

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

10:00am Worship

Annual Meeting

11:30am Yoga

12:00pm Staff

Meeting

7:00pm Writers

Group

9:00am Quilters 6:00pm CCC/LYO

7:00pm Choir

Noon Bible Study

6:00pm Scouts

8:15am Finance/Stewardship Meeting

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

10:00am Worship

11:15am Sunday

School

11:30am Yoga

Church Office

Closed

9:00am Quilters 6:00pm CCC/LYO

7:00pm Healing

Service in Chapel

7:30pm Choir

Pastor at QRT

No Noon Bible

Study

Pastor at Confer-

ence meeting at

Cross of Grace

10:30am Book

Club

24 25 26 27 28 10:00am Worship

11:15am Sunday

School

11:30am Yoga

Pastor at QRT

9:00am Quilters 6:00pm CCC/LYO

7:00pm Choir

Noon Bible Study

6:00pm Scouts

Council Retreat at Woodlands

Pastor on night call at St. Mary’s

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The current participants of the Noon Bible Study decided to begin studying a book in the New Testament. Pastor Mackey will be leading the group through the book of Galatians. Bring your lunch and join the group at noon every Thursday (except the third Thursday) in the library for study.

February 2019 Bible Reading Plan

Romans 10 Romans 11

Romans 12 Romans 13 Romans 14 Romans 15 Romans 16 I Corinthians 1

I Corinthians 2 I Corinthians 3

1 Corinthians 4 I Corinthians 5 I Corinthians 6 I Corinthians 7

I Corinthians 8 I Corinthians 9 I Corinthians 10

I Corinthians 11

I Corinthians 12

I Corinthians 13

I Corinthians 14

I Corinthians 15

I Corinthians 16

I Corinthians 17

We have the following ink cartridges available in the office free of charge if anyone can use them: HP 22 tri-color HP 56 black

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Assisting Minister Reader Communion Deacon 2/3 Keith Wellman Annette Wellman 2/10 Ruthann Arneson Mary Lou Fricke Beth Brown 2/17 Norma Gensler Norma Gensler Cheryl Conzett 2/24 Luke Fornash Steve Golder Steve Golder Acolyte Crucifer Altar Guild 2/3 Madelyn Fizer Zoie Fornash Bonnie Conger, Debra Perkins 2/10 Owen Murray Olivia Bell 2/17 Alex Mackey Zoe May 2/24 Cameron May Garrin Simpson Bread Providers Ushers Arnesons 2/3 Hayman and Creigh Pemberton 2/10 Shannon Walker and Zak Garnett 2/17 Shannon Walker and Zak Garnett 2/24 Sanctuary Lamp Chapel Lamp Flowers Linda Hay 2/3 2/10 Linda Hay 2/17 Barbara Garnett 2/24

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE FOR JANUARY

January 6 74 January 13 65 January 20 38 cold/ice January 27 86

February 2019 WORSHIP HELPERS

The Sign up sheets for flowers, bread, candles and worship helpers for 2017 are up! Flowers are $30.00 per month which includes two bouquets. Sanctuary and Chapel Candles are $12.00 each for one month. Communion bread can be

purchased or made. Ushers, assisting ministers, communion assistants and readers are needed each week. Please consider signing up to make our worship more meaningful.

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Shepherding God, you are the source of life and health. Surround those who struggle with illness or other difficulties of life and bring them to wholeness and healing: LaDonna, Marissa, Eric, Joel, Husna, Jonathan, Judy, and Eric.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 Tyler Tucker; Debra Perkins 3 Susan Korstanje 4 Pastor Kevin Mackey; Al Tillers 8 Patricia Stolze 9 Olivia Bell; Helen Stuart; Beulah Doss 10 Linda Schneider 11 Rex Hale 18 Sarah Bell; Willow May 19 Cindy Bakley 20 Tiffany Williams 22 Dale Kelz; Jerome Yancey 25 Alice Fricke 26 Linda Hay 27 William Whilte 28 William Grimes; Jacki Humphreys

If you are in the hospital, or are at home with an extended illness, please let Pastor Mackey or the church office know. Pastor Mackey is always available to bring Holy Communion to you especially if an illness has kept you at home on Sunday morn-ings. Meals can be provided to those who want them. Please call the church office

at 304-525-9630 to make an appointment.

HAPPY

ANNIVERSARY 1 Dr. Warren and Judith Dumke 13 Ron and Judy Pease

If you would like to put someone on the prayer list please contact the church office at 304-525-9630.

Our former Associate Pastor, the Rev. Bernard Kern writes.... “Dear Friends, It is with a heavy heart I must tell you that my beloved wife, Carol, died peacefully on December 17 surrounded by family members and a loving community of caretakers. I give thanks for your loving support during the time that she endured, with grace and dignity, the ravages of PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy—in the same family as Parkinson’s.) May we lay claim to Christ’s promise to be with us always! The Good News is the certainty that nothing can separate us from the Love of God we have seen in Jesus Christ our Lord!” A memorial service was held on Saturday, January 26. Condolences can be sent to: The Kern Family 7409 Spring Lea Way North Richland Hills, TX 76182

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FEBRUARY

48+ cans of ravioli Men’s boxers size L

Sharing God’s love with others...

We are in need of lunch and dinner items for the school back-packs. If you can donate for this worthy cause it would be appreciated. Suggested items are individual ravioli, individual mac and cheese, and shelf stable yogurt.

Looking for a yoga class that doesn’t leave you tied up in

knots? Join Clarice Kumlien as she leads a class in “Chair Yoga”, designed for all ages and abilities. Mondays from 11:30am-12:15pm in the parlor.

Cost is a $2.00 donation.

Prayer shawls are available in the narthex if you would like to give one to someone in need of prayer and comfort. Cards are also available to give with the shawls.

Below are the numbers of items we collected for Cridlin. Thanks to all of you who participated in this im-portant ministry. Remember that our goal each month is at least 48 of the designated item. Let’s try to collect more than that. Containers for you to deposit the items are in the narthex and in the downstairs hallway. Chili 47 Tuna 31 Tuna Helper 59

Mac and cheese 103 Ravioli 43 Jelly 22 Underwear 17

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2019 COUNCIL MEMBERS Below is a list of our council members for 2019 and their respective committees

Steve Golder—Vice President of Council; Stewardship/Finance Andrew Wellman—Church Treasurer; Stewardship/Finance Norma Gensler—Council Secretary; Fellowship Committee Carolyn Fornash—Christian Education Jacqui Veres—Christian Education Barbara Garnett—Worship and Music Neil Arneson—Worship and Music Rick Veres—Property John Scott—Social Ministry Bernadette Wellman—Social Ministry Rick Eid—Evangelism Chris Eid—Evangelism

Council Highlights

New officers for Council will be Steve Golder – Lay Vice President, Norma Gensler – Secretary, Andrew Wellman – Treasurer, Linda Schneider – Financial Secretary

Committee facilitators were chosen (see other part of newsletter) Finance and Stewardship shared items in the transition from Wayne and Dreama including

moving to a cleaning service and Andrew Wellman currently paying bills and doing payroll. Will be sending $60 to Trinity Lutheran for our part of the I64 churches Camp Luther

Scholarship in memory of Lillian Felici. Set retreat at Woodlands meeting room for February 1 and 2 – Friday evening and Saturday

morning till noon. Installation of Council will be at the February 3 worship service.

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PRAYER VENTURES FEBRUARY 2019

1 Black History Month Give thanks for our sisters and brothers of African descent, who have both suffered much and contributed much to our nation and the ongoing work of building a multicultural church and restoring and reconciling communities in the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world. 2 Give thanks for children and youth in our lives and congregations, for the gifts they bring to the body of Christ and for the leaders, teachers and members who nurture and encourage them. 3 The good news of Jesus Christ, God’s love and the promise of eternal life bring us joy, but we sometimes find ourselves troubled and irritated by God’s desire for us to exercise justice and peace and immerse ourselves in serv-ing our neighbors in need – without hesitation or prejudice. Pray the Holy Spirit will work in our hearts to change our attitudes, bias and self-centeredness, setting us free to be willing, committed disciples and servants in the world. 4 Remember in prayer regions of the world embroiled in conflict and turmoil, that leaders of nations and people involved and impacted will work together for peaceful, just and lasting resolution and reconciliation; pray especial-ly for the safety and well-being of people who have and continue to suffer loss, disrupted lives and displacement from their homes, communities or nations as a result of violence, persecution or economic collapse in these areas. 5 Remember in prayer ELCA missionaries serving in collaboration with the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, es-pecially in ministries of evangelism and education. Give thanks and pray for the 18 international leaders who have received ELCA educational scholarships to further develop their skills for service in the church in Japan. 6 What is love? Where is it scarce or misguided in our relationships and how we live out our faith? Ask God to deepen and mature our understanding of love and center us in the love we, as baptized children of God, are called to share generously with others. 7 Thank God for the special relationship we have with the Episcopal Church, a full communion partner with the ELCA since 1999; pray for the church, its members and leaders, and that together we find strength and new re-sources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor. 8 The Lord is our refuge, rock, protection, hope and trust throughout life. Give thanks and praise! 9 Give thanks for the work and impact of ELCA World Hunger. Pray we all seek ways of being working, generous partners in breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty, providing immediate and long-term assistance, and bringing hope to individuals, communities and regions of the world that suffer from hunger and poverty. 10 Consider what stirred you to follow Jesus and grow in faith. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you with courage and confidence to invite others to believe and follow. 11 Pray for our seven ELCA seminaries, that their faculty and staff are strengthened, inspired and sustained in their work of preparing men and women for public ministry in a multitude of contexts and communities here and around the world. 12 Give thanks for entrepreneurs of all ages in our congregations, and pray we value their energy, ideas, skills, cu-riosity and creative perspectives as assets that can be used for ministry and serving our neighbor. 13 Called by God to serve as a prophet, Isaiah felt ill-equipped, reluctant and that he was a poor choice for the task – until God’s spirit moved him to reply, “Here I am; send me!” Pray we are open to the work God is calling us to do in our congregations, communities and the world, and, in spite of our hesitations and insecurities, are able to trust God’s forgiveness and empowering love by responding, “Here I am; send me!” 14 ELCA gifts and offerings support leadership development, education and collaboration in China. We partner with the local church and organizations to respond to health, hunger and leadership development needs; 10 inter-national leaders have received scholarships to further develop their skills for service in the church in China. Give thanks to God for what we are able to accomplish through working together. 15 Give thanks for the good news of Jesus Christ that we have received through faith, and pray we eagerly and unashamedly work to proclaim the gospel in the world with all who will listen – with friends and strangers alike. 16 Continue to pray for and support parents, families, friends and communities that have suffered the tragic loss of loved ones as a result of gun violence. Pray we are filled with empathy and care for the long and difficult healing they may go through, and that the Holy Spirit will help us be bold, wise agents and advocates of change to prevent and end the violence across our nation.

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17 Jesus compels us to serve our neighbor and be a blessing to others – friends, strangers, enemies, outcasts, hungry and poor alike. Thank God for inviting us to join in God’s work in the world and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help with the service and challenges to which we have been called. 18 Martin Luther, died 1546 Give thanks for the life, faith and teachings of Martin Luther, who worked with tenac-ity and courage to serve Christ while also confessing his personal struggles, questions and human weaknesses; pray we, too, are faithful in our baptismal journeys and not easily discouraged by the complexities of life, risks and our self-doubts. 19 Lift up thanks and praise for our life with God, a life filled with promise, hope and blessings that nourish us each and every day; a life and relationship that God desires for all people. 20 Pray members and leaders of our congregations are bold yet humble servants of Christ who embrace ongoing self-reflection, study of Scripture, evaluation, prayerful conversation and creative planning for the purpose of do-ing God’s work in the world and growing the church. 21 Pray we find joy, wisdom and nourishment in following the word and paths of God in the midst of everything else competing for attention and influence in our lives. 22 Praise God for revealing to the world the risen Christ who is not bound by the consequences of human sin and death, but instead gifts us – through faith – with the truth and certainty of God’s love, forgiveness and eternal life. 23 Give thanks for the energetic participation in “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday each fall and for the resulting partnerships and community service that stretch throughout the year. 24 Ask God to help us listen to and wrap our lives around the straightforward teachings of Jesus that implore us to be merciful, generous, love our enemies, do good to those who hate us and not judge others – attitudes and ac-tions that may not come easily to us. 25 Give thanks for the Deaconess Community, a Christ-centered community of women who devote their lives to proclaiming the gospel through ministries of mercy and servant leadership in diverse community and ministry contexts. 26 Remember God’s love and forgiveness, and pray we are moved to demonstrate the same grace and for-giveness – as Joseph did with his brothers who sold him into slavery – with people with whom we have experi-enced offense, conflict or broken relationships. 27 Give thanks for the Research and Evaluation services of our church, which assist congregations and synods in exploring their communities, demographics and trends, ministry opportunities and challenges, and provide re-sources and insights for planning and renewing ministries. 28 What have you been worrying about lately? Share your concerns with God; trust in the Lord, be still, don’t fret and go about doing good in the world.

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CONTACT INFORMATION Reverend Kevin L. Mackey, pastor

pastor@stpaulhuntington.org

Henning Vauth, Music Director music@stpaulhuntington.org

Jill May, Youth Director

youth@stpaulhuntington.org

Kathy Mackey, secretary secretary@stpaulhuntington.org

Please visit us at www.stpaulhuntington.org

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 721 12th Avenue

Huntington, WV 25701 304-525-9630

The mission of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church is to CELEBRATE and PRO-CLAIM to all the saving grace of JESUS CHRIST in word and deed.

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St. Paul Lutheran Church 721-12th Avenue Huntington, WV 25701

February 2019