FROM PASTOR ANN MARIE WINTERS: THANK AND ASK
“When I heard of the solid trust you have in the Lord Jesus Christ and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you…But I do more than thank, I ask—ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do…” (Eph. 1:15-18 The Message).

My Friends in Christ,

The time has come to say our good-byes. I am feeling both sadness at leaving you, and joy to be going to my family. I write this letter with mixed emotions, a full heart, and a few tears!

We have had a good run of ministry together over the last 10 years as St. Paul Church. Let’s pause for a moment to recall the highlights of our decade together. I hope this doesn’t read as a list of accomplishments during my pastorate. It is meant as a memory of all the wonderful undertakings we have had together. Memories are the greatest gifts as we “Celebrate the Past, and Envision the Future”.

When I was called in December 2010, you asked me to focus on evangelism and stewardship. We enjoyed Splash for babies, bike rodeos and a Lincoln School peace project for children, 500 Homes neighborhood outreach, Lighting the Way eldercare series, Grand-families support group, and Celebrate Recovery. Our Fall stewardship appeals increased our joy in giving each year! Your stewardship team has a great appeal planned for November.

St. Paul has also grown younger! With Stacey Altiere at the helm, going into the Fall, there is a strong Sunday School and Youth Group to serve more than 2 dozen children and teens. She has recruited several teachers and Youth Group leaders as well. The masked disciples are a group of “younger women” who take delight in ministry to our members. St. Paul is frequently in the newspaper and on TV, taking the lead in community giving projects.

Our worship times have been glorious, with holidays and festivals being the peak moments. I baptized 43 children, youths, and adults! Membership is now 364 people.

In 2018, I took a sabbatical, and the congregation kept going without a hitch. There were events all year long to celebrate the life of this church, and I returned to the grand occasion of the 150th Anniversary of St. Paul’s ministry.

I know in my heart of hearts that you will continue to thrive, and serve in the love of Christ for years to come. No one has a crystal ball to see just how this will happen, but God is faithful, and you belong to Christ! That is the key.

Let us hold one another in prayer along life’s journey!

Your fellow traveler,
Pastor Ann Marie Winters

PASTOR WINTERS IS CALLED TO SERVE IN TROY: Dear friends, most of you have received the letter with the news that I will no longer be St. Paul’s pastor. My last Sunday will be October 18. While I am excited to move to be near my daughter and her family, I am also feeling sad to leave this wonderful congregation! I realize this comes as a surprise, since we have been engaged in active ministry and worship together for nearly 10 years. It was a surprise to me as well that God is calling me to serve as “priest-in-charge” at Trinity Episcopal Church, Troy. The bishops would like me to bring Lutherans into the church at Trinity, and this is a challenge I welcome. I will always be your friend, and I hope your prayers will go with me. I would be thrilled if you would like to make a donation of any size in my honor to the “Bibles for Bob” effort (see above article)! I will miss you all, and I hope our last month will be a good time of making transitions and saying good-byes. Love and peace, Pastor Ann Marie

CELEBRATE GRAND-FAMILIES: “Celebrate Grand-families” is a support group for grandparents raising their grandchildren. St. Paul is reaching out to support these families with Christian compassion and a place to meet and discuss their needs. We now have 18 families who participate, and more are welcome, if you know of anyone who would fit in. While the grandparents meet, we will have crafts, games, bible stories, snacks, help with homework, tutoring, and a fun social time for children. Sessions in October will be on Saturdays, October 10 and 24, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Please contact Liz Chapin to help. ... See more

ST. PAUL NEWS & EVENTS

PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Praying for members with medical challenges:
Diana Bartlett, Rodger Bartlett, David Baudo, Elaine Benka, Ron Benka, Don Brant, Laurie Czoka, Jerry Groves, Stephanie Groves, Nancy Hall, Carolyn Marsh, Roy Seibert, Jane Shaw, Ken Wareham, Jerry Wareham, Jean Waris, April Williams, Andrea Wollam

Remembering those who are home bound:
Pastor Richard Bowen, Bill Cohol, Marlene Cohol, Geneveive Costello, Jim Illencik, Jean Maurice, Harriette Shaffer

Remembering those with special needs:
Ted Buch, Gini Cage, Cora Campbell, Julie Craig, Cindy Crisafi, Connie Fowler, Roxanne Meeker, Sharri Olson, Mary Lou Robertson, Cindy Robinson, Scotty Santimarino, Sandy Seitz, Ondine Shiau, Alison Steuer, Rev. Paul Swartz, Dean Voye, Mark Voye, Bob Webb

Remembering those in the Military:
Jonathan Benka, Danielle Greenhill, Kirk Groves, Michael Maradin

THANK YOU: Dear Stacey and Youth Group, On behalf of all the students at Lincoln PK-8, we thank you for your generous donation. Sincerely, Lincoln Students and Staff

WORK DAY: On October 3 there will be a Work Day at the church. At 9:00 am we will begin working on windows inside and out. We will be using a Thrivent gift to replace broken blinds in classrooms. The cost of the blinds is around $450.00. Donations to cover what the Thrivent gift does not cover will be greatly appreciated. We are also planning a Work Day for November 28 to prepare for Advent. Thank you for your support. Tim Martin

RUMMAGE SALE IS COMING OCTOBER 17: Saturday, October 17, is the new date for our church Rummage Sale to benefit the general fund of St. Paul’s mission and ministry. Items that you have been saving may now be brought to the Youth Room during office hours or on Sunday mornings. There will also be a Bake Sale and pepperoni rolls will be available for purchase, too. The hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you can help, please contact Stacey Altiere at 330-718-8820.

SEND OFF FOR PASTOR ANN MARIE: On Sunday, October 18, we will be saying goodbye to Pastor Ann Marie. Please join us after worship to wish her well. Come into Cassel Hall to say your goodbye, and don’t forget to grab a piece of cake to take home and enjoy. Help us to send Pastor off in great style and with God’s blessing.

OKTOBERFEST “TO GO”: We are having a different kind of Oktoberfest this year—SAME GREAT FOOD—but “To Go” only on Saturday, October 24, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm. Dinners are $10.00 each and they will be distributed to your car from the kitchen door. We will also have a basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle available. No ticket to buy; just drive on up and take home a great meal. This is a Thrivent sponsored event. Pick up your flyer with all the info on it from your greeter at the entrance doors.

BIBLES FOR BOB: Our missionary in Panama, Bobby Moyer, has begun another church site in the jungle with the Panama natives. When our friend from Mexico, Francisco, visited Bob last winter, they erected a 14-foot cross to mark the spot. They have nothing as yet for this church gathering—but people are coming to worship and learn about Christ! We would like to send Bob money to buy bibles in their native Ngabe language. Each bible is about $5.00. Please give as you are able to spread the Word of God. The collection is being held from September 20 to October 31. A donation can is on the display table in the narthex, or send a donation with your offering. Thanks in advance. For questions, please contact Debbie Groves.

FALL FOOD OUTREACH: We are starting a new Fall Food Outreach. St. Paul Church is reaching out to old and new friends with a fresh meal and food care packages that will be delivered once a month. We are asking for donations of the following items: cereal, soup, canned meats, fruits and vegetables, boxed potatoes, pasta, and sauce. For more information, please contact Bonnie Thompson, Debbie Illencik, or Grace Shiau. Thanks to Thrivent for start-up funds which will buy ingredients and food containers.

SPLASH TODAY: Splash Ministry is a monthly resource which is mailed to parents of children from ages newborn to 3 years. This resource helps young children to grow in their faith formation and provides fun and easy ideas for bringing faith into the everyday life of infants, toddlers, and their families. It also connects the church to families for support and encouragement. If you have further questions about the Splash Ministry, please see Bonnie Thompson or Brenda Ceplecci. Donations for Splash are always warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated.

GRIEF MINISTRY: Part of the Social Committee is Grief Ministry. Joyce Osborn is spearheading this ministry with God’s guidance and help. When a loved one dies, Joyce sends a set of four books called “Journeying through Grief” throughout the first year. Each book describes the issues and feelings that a person tends to encounter at various points of grief and the books offer suggestions on handling them. If Joyce can be of any help or if you have any questions during a time of grief, please contact her.

HALL RENTAL: Anyone wishing to rent Cassel Hall must first call the office to schedule the date to be sure it is not already rented or in use by the church, the Preschool, DAR, or the Red Cross. There is also paper work which needs to be filled out prior to renting.

FLOWERS AND MEDITATION CANDLES: Weeks are available for purchase, dedicated to your special intentions. The meditation candle is $5.00 and flowers are $30.00 for two vases. Please use an Order Envelope and PREPAY your order at the time that you sign the flower and candle chart. PAYMENT ENVELOPES ARE BY THE FLOWER CHART. On weeks where there is no paid order, the church will display silk flowers to the Glory of God. Please sign up for your special weeks while they are available.

DUE TO GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS: In the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), churches and clergy can no longer make written or oral public announcements of health information regarding our members. Thus, unless specifically requested by a member to share other information, we are only able to indicate where a person is hospitalized or that they have been discharged. ... See more

ST. PAUL YOUTH UPDATE FROM STACEY ALTIERE

SUNDAY SCHOOL & GODLY PLAY (AGES 3-9): Fall is fast approaching! We will begin our fall program on Sunday, October 4, during worship. In addition to traditional Sunday School, we will be integrating Godly Play once a month to keep the children familiar with its structure. Sunday School typically involves a lesson and corresponding craft which is provided to the teacher, while Godly Play is taught utilizing small props to allow our tactile learners to see and touch the lessons. At-Home Sunday School lessons will also be available to children unable to attend. Please call/text Stacey Altiere at 330-718-8820 if you are interested in teaching either program, need to sign a child up for our free At-Home lesson kits, or would like additional information.

YOUTH GROUP (AGES 10-18): Our Youth Group program will also begin on Sunday, October 4. We will meet in Cassel Hall bi-weekly from 5:30 to 7:00 pm (light snacks will be provided). Due to our growth and the current climate, the youth will be split into two groups consisting of 10-12 students per group during certain portions of the evening allowing for social distancing and age appropriate conversations. The “Junior” Youth Group will include those age 10-13, while the “Senior” Youth Group will include ages 14-18. Both Junior and Senior participants will report to Cassel Hall on the same schedule (1st and 3rd Sunday of every month from 5:30 to 7:00 pm). We will also be introducing new material with a new, current program about faith and the struggles of teens in today’s world. This is a huge improvement to the curriculum of old and we think they are going to love it! Spots are limited and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED on a first come, first serve basis. Please call Stacey Altiere at 330-718-8820 ASAP to reserve your spot! ... See more

ST. PAUL SERVANTS FOR OCTOBER 2020

Acolytes 10:30 service: (agreed dates by parish youth)
10/04 Taylor Stredney
10/11
10/18
10/25

Acolytes: Please be present ten minutes before the service begins. If you are unable to acolyte as scheduled, please trade with one of the other acolytes and notify Christine Mymo. Thank you for your help! We count on you to be here!

Assisting Ministers
10/04 Lorri Baudo
10/11 Liz Chapin
10/18 Stacey Altiere
10/25 Nola Bennett

Child Care
10/04
10/11
10/18
10/25

Church Closing
Lorri Baudo

Communion Assistants
10/04 None through Feb.
10/11 None through Feb.
10/18 None through Feb.
10/25 None through Feb.

Flower Delivery
10/04 Joanne Santucci
10/11 June & Kelly Hutchison
10/18 Peggy Skoczylas
10/25 Diana Bauman

Refer to the sheet in the Sacristy for deliveries. Mark the date of delivery opposite the person’s name on the sheet. Thank you.

Greeters
10/04 Linda Murray & Nola Bennett
10/11 Marty Maurice & Carolyn Marsh
10/18 Rick & Bonnie Thompson
10/25 Dave Maurice & Grace Shiau

Lectors
10/04 Taylor Stredney
10/11 Liz Chapin
10/18 Rick Thompson
10/25 Nola Bennett

Ushers
10/04 Diana Bauman & Kay Paajanen
10/11 Diana Bauman & Kay Paajanen
10/18 Rodger & Debbie Bartlett
10/25 Rodger & Debbie Bartlett ... See more