Fall = pumpkins, Trunk or Treat & Reformation

Pumpkin Patch at St. Paul's, Durham Oct 2014

The autumn colors are starting to appear on the trees in shades of yellow, gold, and red, but the color orange is definitely noticed on the grounds of St. Paul's Lutheran Church lately. We have received our New Mexico pumpkins and they are great -- all sizes, big, medium, small and also elf houses! Pumpkin Patch hours are:

• Sunday -- Friday, 12 noon--8 pm
• Saturdays 9 am -- 5 pm

Proceeds from the patch benefit the youth group's journey to the ELCA National Youth Gathering next summer in Detroit, as well as the Interfaith Hospitality Network which houses and assists families through their homeless program.

YARD Sale -- Saturday, October 25 at 7 am - 1 pm inside Trinity Hall
Items can still be brought in for the yard sale and workers can volunteer to help with pricing, set-up tasks, and especially with the sale itself that Saturday. If you want to get involved, contact Karen Hassett or Amanda Stoen. EVERYONE is invited to come out to the sale -- you may find some different items to take the place of the ones you put in the sale!

The Rite of Confirmation will take place on Sunday, October 26, Reformation Sunday at the 11:00 am Service. We will celebrate with our young people as they continue their baptism journey of serving, learning, and growing, according to God's gracious gift of faith. A reception will follow the service.
NEW -- A new Bible Study class will begin on Monday, October 27 at 7:00 pm meeting in the conference room with Vicar Daniel Locke leading. Studying the lectionary will start the class off.  Plans are to meet every Monday at 7:00 pm.

"Trunk or Treat" takes place on Wednesday, October 29 at 6:00 pm. You may arrive up to 6 pm on the Pickett Road side parking lot to prepare your trunk for the treaters. If you are just attending but not treating from your trunk, please park on the Cornwallis Road side and in the rear.  At 6 pm we will start the party with hot dogs, "trunk or treating," 'smores at the fire pit, among other activities. Start getting those costumes and trunk décor together. Bring some sweets or salts to share.

Looking ahead -- we are getting ready for our next annual "Lutherans Got Talent!" show taking place in Trinity Hall on Saturday, November 15 with supper at 6 pm and show at 7 pm. Participants of all skill levels and ages are welcome. There will be tables for those that wish to share their visual art and hand crafts.

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.