Friday, September 18, 2015

Fall is almost here...

In September, we bring ourselves back to a busier lifestyle. The vacations of the summer are past and school has begun. Along with that comes our returning activities and groups.

Sunday School -- The Spark Sunday School curriculum for our children, is a unique rotation setting. Each week they have music (led by Jackie Nappi, our Minister of Music), an opening, and then will rotate to different areas of creative learning to explore the stories. These areas can be: cooking, reading, a craft session, puppetry, video, or other original idea. Children are divided into two groups: pre-K and grade 1 and those in Grades 2-3-4. Topics being covered this fall include: Creation, Daniel and the Lions Den, and Advent and Christmas.
     Children in Grades 5-7: This class will begin with "Baptized We Live" and then move into Bible Study using the Echo series.
     Senior High youth will be studying a recap of confirmation and reviewing the Affirmation of Baptism service to begin the year and then will be moving into the study of Bible lessons, followed by a review of Lutheran Questions Lutheran Answers by Martin Marty.
     Adults will be meeting in the upstairs Whitesell Hall with a full list of adult leaders throughout the fall. Come and join the discussions, coffee provided.

Music Returns. The Senior choir has begun their rehearsals, meeting on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm. The Handbell Choir meets on Wednesdays at 6:30-7:15 pm. The Children's choir meets on Sunday mornings at 9:45-10:00 am downstairs.

Other groups have returned -- Our WELCA Katherine Circle is back to meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am. The Women's Connection is back on the 2nd Monday at 7:15 pm. The Women's Bible Study meets on the 2nd Saturday at 9:00 am and the Thursday morning Bible Study meets at 10:30-11:45 am.

Young In Spirit has arranged their schedule for the rest of the year. Next activity is October 14, a trip to Cedar Creek Pottery in Creedmoor. Our SPAM (St. Paul's Adult Ministry) group is also planning game nights and working at the Community CafĂ©. The Youth are planning events and the younger youth are attending Building Youth Groups at Camp Agape in October.

The Youth who traveled to the National Youth Gathering in Detroit this July, spoke to the supper crowd on Wednesday night about their experiences. Even former Vicar Daniel, was face-timing from Malaysia! Their journey has been put on video and can be seen on our Vimeo site.

We have dedicated our newest garden and meditation area: The Journey: Brick Relief Plaza, located on the Pickett Road side of our campus. It encompasses "The Journey" a brick relief depicting people of all walks of life making the journey of their faith, a water feature, interesting plantings, and relaxing benches to welcome those who pause for reflection.

Concerts are also back -- next one is Sunday, September 27 at 7:00 pm featuring Beverly Biggs on harpsichord and Jacqueline Nappi on the Brombaugh organ. They will perform musical works from the late baroque and early classical periods. The program includes J. S. Bach's Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, a French suite by Louis Couperin, and other fun pieces for two keyboards.

We continue to reach out to others. Growing thru Grief is a coalition of churches and organizations that offer help for those who mourn, meeting weekly at St. Paul's. Interfaith Hospitality Network houses homeless families at the church for a week as part of a rotation of churches -- next week is September 27 - October 4. Small Groups have begun meeting for a six-week period as a time of fellowship and growing in faith.

September is full but the calendar for October may have it beat! We are looking forward to our Pumpkin Patch (begins Oct 10), Oktoberfest (Oct 14), and Indoor Yard Sale (Oct 24). Please join us at any time for any worship or event!