February 15, 2015 Announcements

All members are invited to an open discussion to share your feedback on the 10-year Vision Plan draft prepared by our strategic planning committee. Join us at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 16, to share your input. Refreshments will be provided.

Everyone is invited to come to the fellowship hall before education hour for coffee. Two Sundays a month there are coffee and treats and a free-will offering is taken for a special need.

Do We Have Your Email Address? Please be sure the church office has your email address, so you can receive email messages and updates from the office. You can email the office at: office@saintpaulames.org

It’s Lutheran Witness Renewal Time! The current list is posted on the bulletin board.  Feb. 22 is the last day for ordering. If you want to continue to get the magazine, mark an OK next to your name and put your check for $22.01 in the office mailbox. This price includes the insert from Iowa District West. If you want to start getting the magazine, add your name to the blank form and put your check for $22.01 in the office mailbox. This price includes the insert from Iowa District West. If you want to stop getting the magazine, just cross your name off the list.

We are in need of a few more people who will call our first time visitors and thank them for visiting St. Paul and answer any questions they may have.  This is a very easy, but important job. If you are interested, please contact the church office. Thanks.

Are you missing any dishes??  We are cleaning the kitchen and have found several items (bowls, containers, silverware, baskets, etc.) that may be yours. These items will be on a table in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday for you to claim it if it is yours.

Thrivent Members-Please note that Thrivent Choice Dollars for 2014 must be designated by March 31, 2015.

There’s Still Time…Our Valentine Evening is tonight and there is still time to let us know that you will be a part if it.  We have a DJ spinning the tunes, but it you aren’t into doing the ‘two step’,  we have Trivia (we have been scouring the Internet for some great questions) and card games for you to enjoy.  We will have snacks and dessert, but be sure and bring your beverage of choice. See you anytime after 6:00, you can come anytime, you are never considered late.  

Please give prayerful consideration to becoming either a Sunday School teacher or Midweek teacher for the 2015-2016 school year. You may tag-team with another person so you only teach for ½ of the year. Midweek begins at 4:30 and is over at 5:30 on Wednesdays. This is a great opportunity to share your love of Christ with our young members.

Your congregation is looking for ONE MORE GROUP to sign up to provide and serve a Wednesday evening Lenten supper on March 4. Suppers are served at 6:00 pm prior to the 7:00 pm Lenten worship services. Please consider signing up your family or group of families to provide and serve a supper. As we think of Jesus, who came to serve us and to sacrifice His life for us, what a great way to serve others and to give like Christ did! To sign up to provide and serve a Lenten supper, please contact the church office.

Sunday School Mission Project- This Spring we will be collecting offerings during Sunday School and directing them to Camp Okoboji to assist with replacement and enhancing their recreational items. Specifically we have targeted collecting around $400 for a new kayak and paddles.

Tired of cooking and sick of eating out? Papa Murphy’s pizzas offer easy take-n-bake alternatives to both of these. We have Papa Murphy’s coupon cards, each worth $27 in peel-off coupons, on sale for only $5 each! The cards will be available in the narthex on Feb 8^th and 15^th. All proceeds support our kids attending the 2016 National Youth Gathering.

A bonus check for $353.76 has been received for the Younker’s coupon book sales and has been sent to Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance. Thank you to all who participated.

“KNOW SHOW & TELL” is this year’s theme for Stewardship Time & Talent Sunday on March 1^st and Loyalty Sunday on March 8^th. Everything we have in this life comes from God. Prayerfully consider how you and your family can share your time, talents, and treasures in service and praise to God for the blessings He has given you.

The Book to Know group will meet Feb 12, 7pm, at Adele Knop’s home to discuss A Winter Dream; A Novel by Richard Paul Evans.

Nominating Committee: It is that time of the year to begin the process of selecting our officers and board for the 2015-2016 church year. All members should prayerfully consider serving the Lord in the upcoming year. The Time and talent mailing that we have received provides a convenient opportunity to indicate your desire to serve the Lord in 2015-2016. The nominating committee will review the time and talent findings and contact you regarding areas of interest. All positions are very important in the work of the Lord at St. Paul but this year in addition to the regular positions we will need a treasurer. After five years of faithful service to the Lord as treasurer, Dean Ulrichson is stepping down. If you want to discuss the duties of any of the positions, including treasurer, one of the co-chairs, Steve Vollstedt or Paul Knop will answer any questions.

Annual Soup & Pie Supper This Wednesday (February 18) will be the first Lenten meal at 6:00 p.m. our annual Soup & Pie supper. Needed: Soups. Pies, crackers, carrots, milk and lots of help in the kitchen. PLEASE sign up for this event on the sheet posted on the bulletin board. Questions? Call Tanny at 233-5444.

COME CHILL WITH US All youth in grades 1-12 are invited to join the Fun and Freeze the date – Sunday, February 22. It’s going to be great – So Brrr…ing your mittens -we’re gong to Ice Skate! You do not need to know how to skate to come have fun. There are other youth who can help you learn. The Board of Youth will pay for admission and skate rental of our St. Paul Youth but you will need your own money for any concessions. Friends are welcome to come with you but must also sign a permission form and will need to pay their own way. We will leave the church at 1:30pm and carpool to the Ames Ice Arena. We will Not be returning to the church so parents will need to pick up their child(ren) at the ice arena at 4pm.  Please wear appropriate clothing for skating –socks are required. Suggested clothing includes a hooded sweatshirt or jacket and light-weight mittens. Permission forms are available in the brochure rack. For questions please contact Carla Murphy.