Christmas Eve at St. Paul's

We have three Christmas Eve services, all will celebrate Holy Communion.

• 5:00 pm is very appropriate for families
• 7:00 pm is a candlelight service with the Laudate Handbell Choir participating
• 10:00 pm is a candlelight service with the Senior Choir participating

December 24 through January 1, the church office will be closed. The staff wishes you and yours a blessed Christmas and joyous New Year!

Sunday, December 29 our worship will be "Lessons and Carols for Christmas" with Holy Communion.  Come join us at 8:30 am and 11:00 am. There is no Sunday School on Dec 29.

Plan now to welcome the Three Wise Men on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 6:00 pm for "Twelfth Night and Epiphany".

• Come together as a community to remember Christ's appearance to the Magi.
• Bring the last of your Christmas cookies to share as we sing carols in Trinity Hall to begin the evening.
• Bring a branch of your holiday evergreens to burn in the night, as a symbol of Christ's Light coming amidst the darkness.
• Bring your joy at the knowledge that God comes in humble glory to all people without pretense, without requirements, without price, but in never ending grace.

Advent by Pastor Scott Anderson

The season of Advent marks the beginning of the church year and comprises the four weeks before Christmas. The church has observed a season of preparation before Christmas since the appearance of regulations on fasting issued by Bishop Perpetuus of Tours in 490 C.E. The principle themes of the season are:

• hope
• darkness / light
• repentance
• watchfulness
• preparation
• expectation of the incarnation of Christ on Christmas
• anticipation of the fullness of time at Christ's second coming

The season is marked with the use of the color blue for paraments and vestments. Blue is the color of hope.

Advent is the season of hope and I have great hope for what God is doing with us at St. Paul's. As I reflect on the year and all of the joys it has brought, I find myself anticipating the hope we have in the coming year and the hope we have in Jesus. Our true hope is built on the realization that Christ will come and the world will be made right. So, as we head into this season of reflection and hope, let us prepare and anticipate, let us plan for the future knowing that our future is held in the loving arms of Jesus.

May the God of hope fill you with all good things in this new church year and always.

December Events

Advent at St. Paul's -- "The Gifts of Advent"
Join us on Wednesday Evenings for supper at 6:00 pm and worship at 6:45 pm

• December 4 - The Gift of Patience (Psalm 37:1-9; Mark 13:24-37)
• December 11 - The Gift of Speech and Silence (Psalm 19; Luke 1:5-25, 57-66)
• December 18 - The Gift of Hope (Psalm 33:13-22; Luke 1:67-69)

The services will be Holden Evening Prayer with Holy Communion. During the service we will have a conversation on the weekly texts.

Christmas Pageant
On Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 pm we will enjoy the annual telling of the birth of Jesus. Children and youth age 2 and up are invited to participate. Rehearsals will take place on Sundays during the SPARK Hour (9:45-10:45) and on Saturdays, Dec 7 and 14 from 10-11 am in Trinity Hall. Instrumentalists (adults and youth) are also invited to participate. Please contact Margot Wuebbens if you are interested.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network continues to work with "alumni families" and support them in many ways, such as including families to be gifted this Christmas by congregations participating in the rotations. St. Paul's has decided to utilize the generosity of our congregation to gift some of these families. There is a tree in the atrium decorated with stockings imprinted with the names of 27 individuals and requested gift items for them. The stockings can be picked up and returned no later than Sunday, Dec. 15 with the gifts -- back to the tree. Instructions are on the table next to the tree. If you have questions, contact a staff member or Ellen Lavery.

There is a congregational meeting on Sunday, Dec 8 at 12:15 pm in the sanctuary. The agenda includes electing new people to our Church Council and voting on the 2014 Program for Ministry budget. Information hand-outs on the agenda and the 2014 Program for Ministry proposed budget are available in the foyer.

Poinsettias and/or Lutheran World Relief Designations: We are again offering two opportunities to make Christmas designations in honor or in memory of loved ones. Poinsettias will grace the sanctuary on the 4th Sunday of Advent through Christmas Eve services. Lutheran World Relief will receive the funds designated. Cost of each designation is $7 and should be included with the forms which are available in the foyer. All designations will be listed in the Christmas eve bulletins.

Need a great Christmas Gift? Pick up a St. Paul's cookbook! They are $10 and available after services or during the week from a receptionist or staff member.

St. Paul's Christmas Eve Services
Tuesday, December 24 at 5 pm, 7 pm, and 10 pm
All services celebrate Holy Communion

• The 5:00 pm is very appropriate for families but is for the entire congregation
• The 7:00 pm is a candlelight service with the Laudate Handbell Choir participating
• The 10:00 pm service is also a candlelight service with the Senior Choir participating

The church office will be closed December 24 - January 1. The staff wishes you and yours a very Blessed Christmas.

November notes

Sign up for IHN now in the foyer! The next week we host the Interfaith Hospitality Network families begins Nov 24 and runs through the week of Thanksgiving. If you will be in town that week, please consider volunteering to cover one of the many jobs required to make our IHN guests feel welcome. This is especially important during a week when so many of us will be celebrating the blessings of our own homes and families. Contact Margot Wuebbens or Ellen Lavery with any questions.

Circle of Thanks and Blessing -- During the month of November, children, members of the congregation, Preschool and SPARK Sunday School will be practicing the many ways we can say THANK You for the blessings we receive each day. Please join us in creating "Circles of Thanks and Blessing"! A table can be found in the atrium. Draw, color, and/or write on a paper strip a blessing, gift, person, place, or circumstance you would like to acknowledge. Leave the paper strip in the basket or the offering place. Each week we will connect our circles of thanks and rejoice in all the ways we are thankful. Every good thing comes from God -- God is good, all the time. Be thankful and rejoice!

Adult Forum topics:
Nov. 17: Bible Study led by Pastor Charlie Huggins
Nov. 24: A Magi Convergence -- Joyce Veazey and Janet Seiz will host a "Magi Convergence" -- a celebration of the Wise Kings and their gifts as we await the coming of the Christ Child and those who adore him. Joyce will bring examples of her fragrance studies with information on Frankincense and Myrrh and the present day perfumes that are constructed of these ancient scents. Janet will project images of the Magi and their gifts from the history of art. Congregation members are invited to find the Magi from their respective Nativity Sets and bring them on a pre-Epiphany field trip to St. Paul's so gathered together we can see the great variety of form and adornment that are part of each of our respective traditions. A chorus of "We Three Kings," and a few bites of New Orleans King Cake -- and the hour will have touched, we hope, all of our senses in preparation for the glorious weeks to come.

Our Christmas Pageant will take place in Trinity Hall on Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 pm. The traditional lasagna supper will follow. Youth and children age 2 and up are invited to participate in the annual telling of the birth of Jesus. Rehearsals will take place on Saturdays, December 7 and 14 from 10-11 am as well as weekly during the SPARK hour on Sunday mornings (9:45-10:45 am). If any adults or youth are interested in playing an instrument for the pageant, please contact Margot Wuebbens.

The pumpkin patch is up and running. We received a lot of BIG pumpkins this year, not as many of the smaller ones. Come on by and pick up that "special" one (or two). We have a photo spot set up as well.

 

Wednesday Night Supper will take place this evening (in and around the set up for the yard sale!).  Supper starts at 6:00 pm with sloppy Joes, tater tots, veggies and dessert.

 

The Yard Sale is slowly coming together. Items can still be brought by until Friday. If you can help with pricing and sorting, come on Thursday or Friday. Saturday is sale time - 7 am - 1 pm. Customer service helpers are needed.

 

Sunday, October 20 is Pledge Sunday at St. Paul's. Each year we take the time to remember the blessings of God and give thanks for the past year of ministry in our congregation, Synod and Nation. We also take the time to look forward to next year and discern God's calling for us as his church in the world. Pledge cards will be in the bulletins on Sunday or you can bring the one you received with your Stewardship information letter.

 

After the Pumpkin Patch opens, the Halloween Party doesn't fall far behind! Friday, October 25 at 6:30-8:00 pm, we have a simple hot dog supper with some crafts or games and a great magic show. All are welcome to attend!

Pumpkin Patch

Oct 11 updates

Sunday, Oct 13 - 21st Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 am Worship
9:45 am Sunday School
     * "Open conversation time" with Pastor Anderson
     * SPARK Hour with kids age 3 - grade 4 downstairs; story this week is Joseph and Pharoah, Genesis 39:20-47
11:00 am Worship

Saturday, Oct 19 is our Indoor Yard Sale, 7 am - 1 pm. This year the Preschool and the Cub Scouts are working together on the sale. LOTS of items have been brought in and more are encouraged and welcomed! Items can be brought to Whitesell Hall. There is a sign-up table in the foyer where you can indicate your eagerness to help with the yard sale.

 

LOST AND FOUND! There are many items on display in the foyer which have accumulated in the last year or so. Please search through them, pick out what is yours because the leftovers will be sold in the yard sale!

 

"Lutherans Got Talent!" is underway, coming to St. Paul's on Saturday, Nov. 2. Dinner will be served before the show from 6-7 pm. The show will begin at 7 and end no later than 9 pm. Individual talents should be kept to 3 minutes and group acts to 5 minutes. Questions? Contact Amanda Anderson.

 

"Dress for Success" reminder that Katherine Circle is collecting your donations of gently used accessories such as jewelry, purses, briefcases, neck scarves, belts, dress shoes or career appropriate items that can be used by women returning to or entering the workforce. Collection basket is in the foyer through the month of October.

 

PHOTO Times -- In the next couple weeks, there will be opportunities to have your photo taken for the pictorial directory. These are informal photos of yourself, your family -- just stop by our photographer(s) and smile! The directory is starting to come together and will be introduced on our website soon. It will be password protected but available to the congregation members. Help us make it really useful by having EVERYBODY in it. We are missing quite a few families.

 

Announcements, early October

Diane Archer is unable to access her aim@stpaulsdurham.org email account so please use: dmarcher27@gmail.com to reach her by email.

Pumpkin Patch! Sign up now or just show up to help unload pumpkins on Friday, Oct 11 at 5:00 pm. If you have not signed up, please call the church office on Friday afternoon to see if there is any change in the truck schedule. We also are recruiting "pumpkin patch sitters" who will come to the patch during open hours, help with some rolling of pumpkins, guide customers to find that perfect pumpkin, and then assist as needed. Bring your book/tablet/ipad to while away the time in the beautiful fall weather.
 
Thursday Bible Study is studying Luke, now on Chapter 12. The group meets at 10:30-11:45 am weekly.
 
"Lutherans Got Talent!" Planning for "Lutherans Got Talent," is underway and coming to St. Paul's on Saturday, November 2. Individual talents and group acts of all kinds are welcome. Sign up at the table in the atrium outside the receptionist office. Contact Amanda Anderson if you have questions.
 
Saturday, October 19 is our Indoor Yard Sale, 7 am - 1 pm. The Preschool and the Cub Scouts are working hard to make it another wonderful yard sale. Donations are being accepted - bring to the little room in Whitesell Hall.
 
Growing thru Grief offers grief care and support to all who mourn. Meetings, beginning October 1, include fellowship, lectures on various aspects of grief, and small group discussions led by facilitators trained by Duke Hospice Bereavement Services. The meetings will be held at St. Paul's weekly on Tuesdays, Oct 1 to Nov 6 at 4:00 pm. For more information email growingthrugrief@gmail.com or phone 919-923-7310.
 
Adult Sunday School
Meet in Trinity Hall at 9:45-10:00 am for morning announcements and devotions.
Adult Forum Topics this month (meeting at 10:00-10:45 am in Whitesell Hall)
Oct 6 -- "Where we are now as we think about the Reformation," Aaron Klink, leader
Oct 13 -- Open conversation time with Pastor Anderson
Oct 20 & 27 -- "Welcoming the Stranger: Hospitality and Worship." Pastor David Franzen and Pastor Anderson will be leading a discussion on how worship is hospitality and evangelism. We will be looking at some information from a resource called "Welcoming the Stranger." There will be two sessions, the first a general discussion of some key themes of the book and a second session on ways to implement hospitality practices during the worship hours at St. Paul's. Anyone interested in a ministry of hospitality and welcome is especially invited to attend these sessions.
 
SPARK Hour for Kids age 3 - Grade 4
Gather each Sunday in Genesis Hall at 9:45 am for morning song, prayer, devotions for parents and youth. Hear the Bible story of the day followed by activities related to the story.
Oct 6 - Joseph and His Brothers, Genesis 37:1-28
Oct 13 - Joseph and Pharoah, Genesis 39:20-47
Oct 20 - Queen Esther, Book of Esther
Oct 27 - Reformation Celebration, Psalm 46
Connect Class for youth in grades 5-6-7-8 meet in Jerusalem Room, 9:45-10:45 am Sundays.
Senior High meets in the Youth Room, 9:45-10:45 am Sundays.



 




  

Farewell and Godspeed to Brian, Reception

It is with a heavy heart that we are writing to tell you that our beloved director of Music, Brian Cash, has resigned from his position at St. Paul's effective on September 29 to embark on a new path and direction. A mailing was sent to notify members of the Congregation, but we want to make sure all friends are notified and have the opportunity to thank Brian and Marie for their dedication to many ministries at St. Paul's.

A reception with a light lunch will be held following the 11 AM service on Sunday, September 29th to honor Brian and Marie. We invite all to attend. The church council would like to give members of St. Paul's the opportunity to contribute to a gift which will be presented at the reception. These contributions can be mailed or placed in the offering plate prior to or on September 29th. Checks should be made out to St. Paul's with a memo or note indicating "gift to Brian Cash."
 
We ask you to pray for Brian and Marie as they embark on new ventures. St. Paul's truly appreciates their leadership, commitment, and dedication to many ministries over the last eleven years.
        Sincerely,
        Nolan Raney
        Congregation Council President

Details on the Luncheon:
The luncheon in Trinity Hall will follow the 11 am service. The main meat dish will be provided. We are asking, if you are able, to provide side dishes or desserts. This can be anything from salads (any kind), deviled eggs, vegetables, pasta or rice dishes, and fruits. Desserts can be anything you would like to bring. We all love to taste the many pot-luck dishes this congregation is capable of. All foods can be brought to Trinity kitchen that morning. Please do not bring serving utensils.

BachFest

Saturday, September 14 at 3 pm in the St. Paul's Sanctuary...

BachFest -- Tourmaline Baroque, a North Carolina-based chamber ensemble performing on period instruments, presents vocal and instrumental music of Bach and his contemporaries. Included in the program will be Bach's Brandenburg concerto no. 4, excerpts from several Bach cantatas, Handel arias, as well as Muffat and Telemann sonatas. Please join us on Saturday, September 14 at 3:00 pm in the sanctuary of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 West Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC for a very exciting BachFest. Open to the public.

Sunday School Information!

Christian Education -- Faith Formation 2013-14
Sunday, September 15 is the first day of Fall Education classes!

• SPARK Classes for age 3 through grade 4
• CONNECT Class for grades 5-8
• Senior High Fellowship Class for high school students
• Two adult Sunday School classes each Sunday: A Bible study and a Topic Study

SPARK = St. Paul's Amazing Rejoicing Kids
SPARK is for children age 3 through grade 4 and meets on Sundays, 9:45-10:45 am in the downstairs Genesis Hall. SPARK participants stay together in one group, rotating from activity to activity each week. There is one central Bible story each week and the variety of activities may include: music, art, crafts, science, storytelling, drama, video, outdoor learning, and other creative stations.

CONNECT Bible Class is the Confirmation class for students in grades 5-6-7-8. They meet during the Sunday School hour, 9:45-10:45 am. Tina Bessias, Tracey Dissel, Jim Shoaf, and Diane Archer serve as leaders. The Connect class will meet in a new place; The Jerusalem Room, which is located downstairs just past the elevator on the right. In addition to Bible study, the class will work on several projects during the year as part of the Living Stones Discipleship -- outreach ministry and mission of the church.

Adult Education Ministry on Sundays, 9:45-10:45 am
NEW - Adult Sunday School Morning Devotions
Gather in Whitesell Hall 9:45-10:00 am for announcements, fellowship, and morning prayer. Following devotions, adults attend the class of their choice.

Adult Sunday School in Whitesell Hall (10:00-10:45 am)

• Sept 15 - "The Documentary Hypotheses: From Genesis to Deuteronomy," part 1, Morris Casper, leader
• Sept 22 - "More about Icons, a continued exploration of faith and art," with Tina Bessias, leader
• Sept 29 - "The Documentary Hypothesis: From Genesis to Deuteronomy," part 2, Morris Casper, leader

SPAM - Bible Study in the Conference Room (10:00-10:45 am)
St. Paul's Adult Ministry (SPAM) is launching a weekly discussion series this fall to provide young adults with an opportunity to talk about the Bible and how we live through it in our own daily lives. Join us for casual conversation about Christ and how the lessons in the Bible relate to the experiences of today.  Heidi and Mike Tarrant serve as leaders.

Update

This weekend we have worship at 8:30 am and 11:00 am.
The Church office will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

Tuesday, Sept 3 at 7:00 pm is All Committee Night --  2014 Program for Ministry budget planning sessions.

Wednesday, Sept 4:

• 5:45 pm Laudate Handbells will rehearse at their new day and time!
• 6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper -- menu is our back to school special -- "Reading, Writing & Ravioli" -- choose from meat or cheese ravioli, sauce, mozzarella sticks, salad, garlic bread, and dessert. Come join us!
• 7:00 pm is the Senior Choir rehearsal

Barrels of Joy! During the month of September, the Katherine Circle, in cooperation with Genesis Home, is reaching out to homeless Durham families. Through the "Barrels of Joy" program we will be collecting body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels and wash cloths. If you have new, unopened and unused items you could donate, look for the blue "Barrels" by the bulletin boards upstairs -- in the hallway and the atrium. Thank you -- Everyone!

Updates

Wednesday, Aug. 21

• 6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper -- come for soup (Turkey and tomato) and grilled cheese sandwiches and salad with a variety of dessert. If you can assist - Contact Karen Hassett
• 7:00 pm Pastor's New Member information class -- meet in the Conference Room
• 7:00 pm Preschool Meeting in the Library

 
SPARK NEEDS:
- Sunday School leaders are needed to guide children through the rotations
- Snack Coordinator is needed to set up weekly snacks for the children.
If you can assist with either of these, please contact Diane Archer at aim@stpaulsdurham.org or 919-417-3762.

Sunday, August 25

• Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am
• New members will be received
• Blessing of the Backpacks at both services
• 9:45-10:45 am Conversation in Trinity Hall -- "Future of Campus Ministry at Duke," Pastor Anderson leading

 

My Icon -- Tina's Personal Experience

My Icon --  Tina's Personal Experience
Aug 15, 2013

Tina Bessias has offered to share her experience with the Icon Workshop last week. Enjoy!

     I’m still processing the extraordinary experience of the last week, when I was a student in an intensive, six-day iconography class through the Prosopon School in New York.  Byzantine-style icons have been part of my life for the last thirty years, partly because they’re omnipresent in Greece and partly because my brother-in-law and a good friend are both iconographers.  Icons are not part of my religious practice, though, and I’ve never really had the chance to learn about them in any depth.  Thus the experience of studying and creating an icon took me into new religious and artistic territory.
     The teachers of last week’s class, Tatiana and Dimitriy Berestov, came from New York to teach at my church, St. Paul’s Lutheran.  They are Russian immigrants who combine deep faith with knowledge of the history and art of icon writing.  In a remarkably quiet, gentle manner, they led a class of twenty teenagers and adults through a series of 22 steps from a blank board to the contemplation of a completed image of St. Michael the Archangel.
     It was, among other things, the most compelling nonverbal activity I can remember being a part of.  Since my world usually revolves around speaking, reading, writing, and responding to others in all those linguistic forms, it was quite a departure to work quietly in the company of twenty other adults.  No one ever told us not to talk, but there was little need or desire to do so.   It was also a great chance to be the student who wasn’t able to take everything in, who heard instructions but forgot them, who sometimes needed extra help to keep up.  The tone of the class was gentle, caring, and patient.  Everyone was there by choice, and everyone was fully committed to the experience.  I wish I could reproduce those circumstances for my own students.
     So here it is: my icon of St. Michael the Archangel.  Nearly everything about it is flawed, yet it’s very special to have “written” it (as we say in this field!).  It’s also gratifying to have begun to learn how to “read” an icon: to understand some of the symbolism, to see the many layers that compose it, to contemplate it as window onto another world.

Parish News & Notes, August 13

Parish News & Notes, Tuesday, Aug 13

Pastor Anderson is attending the 2013 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA taking place in Pittsburgh, PA, Aug 12-17. The theme is "Always Being Made New." The Assembly is electing a presiding bishop and a secretary. It is also considering:

• the adoption of the proposed ELCA Social Statement "Hearing the Cries: the Church and Criminal Justice"
• memorials brought by synod assemblies over the last two years
• the approval of a capital campaign to support both existing and new ministries of the ELCA in years to come.

Assembly news and updates can be viewed at http://blogs.elca.org/assemblynews/

We are looking for a few more volunteers to work at the Community Kitchen this Saturday, Aug 17. St. Paul's sends volunteers to prepare and serve lunch the third Saturday of every month from 10:45 am to approx. 1:30 pm. This is a great way to get to know other members of the congregation, while serving those in need. If you are interested, please contact Holly Hogarth at 919-971-3309 or hkhogarth@gmail.com.

Also on Saturday, SPAM (St Paul's Adult Ministry) is having dinner at the Carolina Ale House at 6 pm. There will be childcare available at the church for those with little ones. Please email Heidi Tarrant at heiditarrant@gmail.com if you can attend and if you need childcare.

IHN Guests will be at St. Paul's Aug 18-25. Sign-ups are still going on to fill spots to provide food, transportation to and from the day house, dinner/evening hosts (5:30-8:30 pm) and overnight hosts (at least 1 female, 8:30 pm to approx. 6 am) for each of the days. Stop by the table in the atrium to sign up!

NEEDED:

Adult SPARK leaders to serve on a part-time basis

SPARK Snack Coordinator to set up weekly snacks

Please contact Diane Archer, aim@stpaulsdurham.org or 919-417-3762 if you can assist or have questions.

Sunday, Aug 25 - Students and teachers of Preschool through College are invited to bring their backpacks, book bags, briefcases, and friends for a special prayer and blessing at the 8:30 and 11:00 am worship. Begin a new school year with prayer and thanksgiving for the gifts God gives us to grow in wisdom, grace, and learning.

Sunday, Aug 25 we will also be receiving new members to the congregation of St. Paul's. There is one more new members' class taking place on Wednesday, Aug 21 after the Wednesday night supper.

Icon Workshop Article

Parish News & Notes, Aug 8

"Icons not just about paint" -- Thank you Durham Herald-Sun for the wonderful article appearing in print Thursday, Aug 8. The Icon Workshop led by Dimitriy and Tatiana Berestov, teachers from the Prosopon School of Iconology in New York, has been going on in our Whitesell Hall this week, with 19 students in attendance.  

If you would like to peruse the article, here is the link:  http://www.heraldsun.com/lifestyles/x135061404/Russian-Orthodox-iconographers-teach-workshop-at-St-Paul-s-Lutheran

Meet the Iconographers on Sunday, Aug 11 at 9:45-10:45 am in Trinity Hall for conversation time. Pastor Anderson leads the discussion.

Book bags for IHN

Another announcement for this coming weekend!

We were just asked to fill 4 book bags for IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network). We have been given rather short notice, so we apologize.
There will be sign-up sheets available this coming Sunday, Aug 4. The items you will be signing up for will need to be brought back in by the following Sunday, Aug 11, so that they can be assembled. Please look for the sign-up sheets on Sunday, Aug 4.

News & Notes

This Sunday - 8/4
Sunday worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am
9:45-10:45 am this Sunday our Summer Sunday Conversations taking place in Trinity Hall will discuss "The Emerging Church" -- new trends in ministry

Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm the Icon Workshop takes place in Whitesell Hall. You may visit the workshop any day during the lunch hour (12-1) or after 4 pm. You are also invited to visit with the Iconographers at our Sunday Conversation, Aug 11 at 9:45 am in Trinity Hall. Please contact Tina Bessias (919-489-0057) if you have questions.

Monday, Aug 5 is the last summer open play day for the preschool. Come for playground time 9 am-12 pm.

All Committee Night meets Tues, Aug 6 at 7:00 pm beginning in Trinity Hall.

Wednesday Night Supper on Wed, Aug 7 (back to our normal 1st & 3rd Wed schedule!), will be baked potatoes and toppings, full salad bar, and desserts - beginning at 6 pm.

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) sign-ups are taking place now in the atrium. IHN will be at St. Paul's Aug 18-25 in the evenings and overnight. We expect three families and need volunteers to provide food, transportation, dinner/evening hosts, and overnight hosts.

Church Mouse - This is a new program which allows members of the congregation to send monthly care packages to your child and for your child to stay connected to their spiritual family. If you would like to be a Church Mouse or have your child be a part of this program, please contact Caitlin Lloyd at 919-475-3375. 

New Members will be received August 25! On Aug 7 and 21, after Wednesday Night Suppers, Pastor Anderson will be holding a pastor's class in the conference room. These info sessions will include an overview of Lutheranism and an introduction to St. Paul's. Contact Pastor Anderson if you need further information.

7/24 Wednesday Night Fellowship

Wednesday night, July 24 at 6:00 pm is our "pizza, salad, dessert" supper. At 7:00 pm we will enjoy "Confirmed" a music-focused youth ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vale, NC will be on stage in Trinity Hall. It will be a fun time of song, faith-building, and fellowship. The youth have been creating their own drawings for graphics, studying Bible texts alongside the music, and developing their own script to use in between songs. All are welcome -- invite friends and neighbors. 

Parish Notes - July 21

Young In Spirit Lunch – On Thursday, July 25, the Young In Spirit will be meeting at church at 11:00 am for an 11:30 am lunch at Kurama Japanese Seafood and Steak House, 3644 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.  Sign up in the church office.

“Confirmed” is a music-focused youth ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vale, NC. They have been singing together for almost 1½ years and had the wonderful opportunity to sing for Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson during his visit to Trinity last August.  “Learning To Be The Light–A Journey of Faith” is the theme of the summer tour, and explores the never-ending struggle of our sinfulness and God’s never-ending offer of love and grace. The youth are creating their own drawings for graphics, studying Bible texts alongside the music, and developing their own script to use in-between songs. We invite you to come and participate in a fun time of song, faith-building, and fellowship. “Confirmed” will be at St. Paul’s on Wednesday evening, July 24 at 7:00 pm. Come for a pizza supper at 6:00 pm in Trinity Hall and stay for the music fellowship.

Girl Scout Silver Award Project: Claire Cajka, a rising 9th grader and VBS friend of St. Paul’s has asked our help in collecting school supply donations for children at the Durham Rescue Mission. From July 21-Aug 7, a donation box for school supplies is placed in the atrium.

Need a Desk? From Brian’s old office - first person gets it!

Stephen Minister trainees will meet Sunday, July 28 during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45 am). We will make preparations for classes to begin August 29. We will finalize the schedule for Stephen Minister training so bring your calendars. Training materials will be distributed, and the first pre-class reading will be assigned.

Many visitors for Icon Class August 5-10
St. Paul’s will host Tatiana and Dimitriy Berestov, the instructors for our icon workshop, starting Sunday August 4, and they will stay in Durham through the following Sunday. The week-long class will include 17-20 participants from all over North and South Carolina, Charlottesville, VA, and New York.
How can you get involved?
● Visit the workshop in Whitesell Hall any day during the lunch hour (12-1) or after 4 pm.
● Come to the Sunday Conversation with the iconographers, Aug 1 at 9:45 am in Trinity Hall
● Help with lunch any day or the closing dinner on Friday, Aug 10
● Offer transportation for the teachers to get out for dinner any evening
Please contact Tina Bessias (919-489-0057) or tina.bessias@gmail.com) or the church office if you’d like to volunteer. Registration for the workshop is open through Sunday, July 14.

Garden issues:  Love spinach? Last summer New Zealand spinach (Malamar) was planted to grow up the railings along the main entrance to the church. There are seedlings of this spinach which have sprung up along the railings and around the pots. Please take some of the seedlings for your own gardens. All they need is sun, and a trellis of some kind.  Anyone knowledgeable about growing roses? Like last summer, the pink roses in the raised beds are losing their leaves, and Carol Sackett does not know how to diagnose and treat the scourge. Please contact her if you can help.

Husbands and wives spend immense amounts of time on their job, careers, children and leisure. How much time do you spend just for the two of you as a couple? You deserve to learn how to make the most of your time and relationship. Attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend and find out how. For more information or to apply for a weekend, just visit our website at www.godlovesmarriage.org. You can contact Ed & Judy Raney, by phone at 843-707-7085 or by email - jemarriageencounter@gmail.com. The next Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend is Aug 30-Sept 1 in Black Mountain, NC. Space is limited and deadline to apply is August 5, 2013.