| This Sunday, October 22nd Holy Communion - 10 AM All are welcome to receive Communion!
In today's first reading God uses the Gentile ruler Cyrus to accomplish divine purposes. When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world.
Sunday's readings: |
Serving God on Sunday October 22nd
Assisting Minister: Kim Hervey Crucifer/Acolyte: Don Ockrassa Lector: Don Ockrassa Ushers: Cindy Poehls, Joseph White Organist/Pianist: Clyde Niesen Flowers: The Community of St. Paul's
Fellowship: Karen Spears, Kim Hervey Sacristans: Kathy Sutin, Bev Smith Counters: Anita Patten, Karen Spears
Janitorial: Karen Spears
Groundskeeper: Matt Thelen
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| Worship Schedule Worship schedules will continue to rotate on a monthly basis through the end of the year as follows: October 2017 10:00 a.m. Worship Service at St. Paul's.
Please note that on October 29 there will be no service at either Saint Paul's or Holy Trinity in Vallejo. Services will be at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.
November 2017 10:00 a.m. Worship Service at Holy Trinity*
December 2017 10:00 a.m. Worship Service at St. Paul's.
Christmas Eve service will be at Holy Trinity at 7 p.m.
*No flowers or alter care at St. Paul's
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| Regarding the Fires... We continue to be in communication with the pastors of congregations in the fire areas of our synod. Here is the latest information we have: - All our churches in Napa and Santa Rosa remain undamaged, and the homes of the pastors of these congregations are also unharmed.
- At least eleven families from Bethlehem Lutheran in Santa Rosa are known to have lost their homes. Please remember in prayer these eleven families and the members of the congregations who are offering care and support to those who have lost so much.
- A few families from other congregations still do not know if their homes have survived. Most of the evacuation areas are now being cleared for return.
Many of you have asked what can be done to offer support and encouragement for those who have suffered terrible, sudden loss. We are suggesting donations to two agencies; Lutheran Social Services of Northern California and Lutheran Disaster Response. Donations to Lutheran Social Services can be designated through their "October Wildfire Relief Fund" for needs in northern California in general. To donate to specific congregations, indicate the name of the congregation in the designated donation box. 100% of these monies will be given directly to churches and ministries that have been affected by the fires. Donations to Lutheran Disaster Relief can be designated to "U.S. Fire Relief" and will be used more generally to support churches and ministries and communities that have been affected by fires through the fall and throughout the west. 100% of donations so designated will be used by LDR to offer support to affected communities. Please remember in prayer the congregations in the fire areas: Bethlehem, Faith, and Thanksgiving Lutheran Churches in Santa Rosa; Cross and Crown Lutheran in Rohnert Park; Napa Valley Lutheran in Napa; Galilee Lutheran in Kelseyville; Grace Lutheran in Ukiah; St. Mark's Lutheran in Fairfield; and Peace Lutheran in Grass Valley. Other congregations near to these fires are already offering assistance as they are able. Please keep all in these communities in your prayers, as well as the firefighters and other first responders who are assisting in providing rescue and safety. A suggested prayer from the ELW Armed Services Prayer Book: Loving God, in the communion of Christ, we are joined with the sufferings of all. Be with those who are enduring the effects of the fires which are burning in our area of witness and service. Protect those in the path of danger. Open pathways for evacuation and shelter. Help loved ones find one another in the chaos. Provide assistance to those who need help. Let your love be made known in those who seek to bring order in the chaos. Help us to shoulder the burden of suffering, and make us bearers of the hope that is your healing gift in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen |
| Disaster Response During a time of an unprecedented number of disasters around the globe, our church is answering God's call to love others as ourselves. Here is a sample of what Lutheran Disaster Response is actively working on: - In Texas, where Hurricane Harvey caused destruction, we're hiring a disaster response coordinator to work with our partners and affiliates to connect volunteers and donations to where they're needed most.
- In Florida, where Hurricane Irma caused damage, we're helping Lutheran Services Florida with relief for their most impacted staff.
- In Haiti, we're supporting 100 female-headed households and 100 farmers whose gardens and livestock were lost to the hurricane.
- In Cuba, we're supporting the distribution of items like cookware, dishes and blankets to help families get back to normal life.
- In Mexico, where three major earthquakes struck within weeks, we're supporting our local partner as they distribute food, water and other basic necessities to those who have lost their homes.
- In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Hurricane Maria left devastation, we're coordinating the delivery of critical items including dry food, generators and solar-powered phones.
Recovery from these disasters will take years. Please continue to pray for our neighbors impacted by disasters around the world. Stay up to date:
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| ELCA on Gender Identity Discrimination In light of recent public events and conversation, it is important to remember the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) rejects all forms of hatred or discrimination. This includes employment discrimination against the transgender community, as stated in "Gender Identity Discrimination, " a policy resolution that was adopted by the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly...
http://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/7897
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| Events
Ingathering for Lutheran World Relief
Eleven churches participated in the ingathering at St. Paul's on October 14, 2017. The churches participating were from Reno, Napa, Lodi, Lafayette, Oakland, Vacaville, Corte Madera, Berkeley, Novato and of course our own congregations. Among the collections were 371 quilts, 15 fleece blankets, 57 personal care kits, 174 bars of soap, 45 baby care kits, 11 fabric kits and 128 school kits. It is our hope that these items will help spread God's love to others in faraway places. Thank you to all the volunteers that made this possible.
Boxes will be loaded onto a truck this Saturday, October 21, so they can be delivered to their intended destinations. |
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| Celebrating October Birthdays 9 - Keith Domingo 21 - Frank Gonsalves 30 - Don Ockrassa 31 - Kim Hervey
Note: I am in the process of reconstructing the monthly birthday list. If I get it wrong or someone is left out for the month, please let me know. Contact me at judithfaye@aol.com or call or text me at (707) 980-9667.
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| Opportunities for Study Book Study: The Cross in Our Context: Jesus and the Suffering World by Douglas John Hall, meets 8:00 am downstairs at St. Paul's during the month of October. Book can be ordered on-line.
Martha Circle, women's Bible Study using "Gather" magazine meets the third Thursday of each month in Fellowship Hall at St. Paul's. Bring your own bag lunch and dessert will be served by the monthly hostess.
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| Opportunities for Service Saint Paul's Choir Rehearsals for the month of the month of Ovtober will be at 8:45 am at St.Paul's. New singers are always welcome. Food Basket Sunday. The first Sunday of each month at St. Paul's. Food donations go to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Brown Bag Lunches for distribution to the homeless are located in Fellowship Hall. Sewing Ministry: The 1st Thursday of every month in Fellowship Hall from 1 to 4 pm. Both women and men are welcome. No prior sewing experience is required. |
| Kindly Remember Submissions to The Weekly e-pistle are due on Tuesday of each week as we agreed to at our Congregation Meeting. If you submit an article late, and it still has significance for the next week it will be included then.
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| Know Your Church Council
Don Ockrassa, President (510) 719-7730, d.ockrassa@gmail.com Craig Pyle, Vice President (707) 645-7092, capylepe@pacbell.net Keith Domingo, Secretary (707) 373-2774, k-s-domingo@sbcglobal.net Corie Hervey, returning member (510) 691-2728 Kim Hervey, new member (707) 334-4872 (Use text messaging) Kathy Sutin , Church Treasurer, Ex officio member (707) 333-0150 (use text messaging) Rev. Dr. Dawn Roginski (650) 771-4241 Please know that you are free to contact your council members with questions you might have about church governance. Remember to be patient while waiting for a response as most council members hold full time jobs and volunteer their free time to the church. They will get back to you as soon as possible. You are also welcome to attend council meetings with the exception of occasional closed executive sessions dealing with such things as personnel matters. If you wish to get something on the council agenda for a regular council meeting, contact Keith Domingo. If you wish to view council minutes, they are on file in the office. Any council member can help you access these. Remember if you are viewing minutes, they do not become final and official until approved at the next meeting.
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| Christ's Care List
"Without the discipline of prayer, the world retains its illusions. Without an hour of public prayers, or half hour of private prayer, or ten minutes of quiet meditation, or saying a brief prayer of gratitude before or after a meal, we forget that God is present in the world and in our life. When we remember to pray in the morning, when we are mindful of the present moment, when we set apart Saturday or Sunday as the Sabbath, God's special day of the week, then all of life, and all times and places, and all people that we see are transformed by the light of God. The more we pray--in the sense of living a prayerful life--the more we desire to be with God in prayer. Prayer creates in us a hunger and thirst to be with the One whom we have see shining through nature and moments in time, people and events." -Henri Nouwen-SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Healing of body, mind, and spirit...
(Recent Additions or Updates) Dee Fix wants people to know that she and all her family are safe from the recent fires and no one lost their home.
Don Stradal (Pr. Dawn's father). Continuous issues with falling. Blocked arteries around heart and possible surgery.
Susan Barton (broken wrist)
The family of Carmen Harnish in Puerto Rico coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Roy Meyeske (husband of Karen Spear's first cousin) injured in a pedestrian accident.
Pr. Dawn Roginski (right shoulder tendinitis)
Those Who Grieve: -
The family of Rosemary Bolstad (first cousin of Karen Spears)
Those Who Rejoice: God Speed:
Lynne Witte of Holy Trinity has recently been chosen for mission work and will be traveling to Ethiopia, October 14-29. This is a medical mission through Project Mercy. She will be working with a team of physicians providing surgery and other supportive services. Please pray for a successful and safe mission.
Those Who Need Long Term Prayer:
Darren & Eline Campass (Kathy Campass-Sutin's son & daughter-in law expecting a baby 1/2018)
Margaret Cole
Dee Fix Anna Hervey
Jan Jackson
Louisa Johnson and Don Johnson (as he provides care for Louisa)
Gladys Jones (Kathy Campass Sutin's mother)
Caryl Kroan
Angelika Shanley
Robin Slusher as she navigates the legal process in pursuit of justice for her granddaughter and other children at risk.
We also pray for: -
Those affected by hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Your support through Lutheran Disaster Response will bring hope and healing to those who have or will be affected. Donations can be made on line at (http://www.elca.org/give or call (800)638-3522. -
Pray for an end to acts of terrorism and hatred in our country and around the world. Pray also for those who hate that their hearts might be changed. -
All those impacted by the shootings in Las Vegas, especially families who have lost loved ones, and an end to gun violence in our country. -
The communities of both St. Paul's and Holy Trinity as we continue to explore the possibility of consolidation. -
An end to racism and its injustice -
A just and lasting peace in the Holy Land -
Refugees - Those serving the armed forces.
Please Note: If you wish to add new prayer requests please contact Judy Faye at judithfaye@aol.com, or (707) 980-9667 or (707) 557-4531. When submitting new names, be sure to use an identifier such as friend of Karen Spears or daughter of Jessica Nelson. Also briefly tell us the reason you are requesting prayers such as recent surgery so people will know what to pray for. If you see names on the list that it is time to remove, your own, or an old submission please let Judy know. With the exception of the Long Term Category, Council has recommended that names will be placed on the list for one month and then removed unless a new request with an update is submitted. If a name disappears that you want to stay in, just contact Judy with the reason you are requesting continuing prayer and she will add it back.
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