St. Paul’s
United Church of Christ German Township
8701 Big Cynthiana Rd
Evansville, IN 47720

Non-Profit
Organization
U. S. Postage
Evansville, IN
Permit No. 1564

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, German Township
Church: 812-963-3394 Fax: 812-963-3447
Office Hours 9:00am-2:00pm Monday-Thursday
Church Staff
Pastor Reverend Terry Farmer 812-602-3571
Pastoral Assistant Jessica Minor 812-430-6326
Accompanist Rayna Brown 812-449-7952
Choir Director Noah Farmer 812-963-3394
Nursery Attendant Kinsey Peralta 812-963-3394
Office Administrator & Bookkeeper Norma Helm 812-963-3394
Custodian Vickie White 812-963-3394
Church Council
President Donna Schmidt Sheila Bender David Wires
Vice President Myron Razor Steve Sampson Ruby Deutsch
Secretary Beth Gilles Bonnie Garwood
Treasurer Susan Henze Jeffrey Tillman
Trustees
Steve Sampson Tony Steurer
Gary Johnson Randy Ricketts
Ron Tillman Keith Ahrens
Sound System, Bonnie Garwood

Individuals At Home
Bettye Conley-10445 St. Wendel Road-Evansville, IN 47720
Bill Moad-5538 #6 School Road-Evansville, IN 47720
Marian Coghill-9701 Big Cynthiana Road-Evansville, IN 47720
Emaline Alexander-10490 Wilsey Road-New Harmony, IN 47631
Helen Johnson-8900 #6 School Road– Evansville, IN 47720
Geneva Johnson-5106 Orchard Road– Evansville, IN 47720
Mark Wortman-1917 Jeanette Avenue– Evansville, IN 47714
Joyce Herron-5705 N Happe Road-Evansville, IN 47720
Glenna Hale-5718 Plainview Dr.– Evansville, IN 47720
Marilyn Schneider-6416Big Cynthiana Road-Evansville, IN 47720
Please remember our members and friends of
St. Paul’s with a card, phone call, or visit.

NURSING/REHAB/RETIREMENT HOME
Holiday Retirement Village-812-429-0701
1200 W. Buena Vista-47710
Peggy Pingel-Apartment 113
Heritage Nursing Home-812-429-0700
1201 W. Buena Vista –47710
Dorothy Hopple-Room 106
North River Health Campus-812-876-7256
811 E. Baseline Road-Evansville, IN 47725
Don & Eva Lasher-Room 605

12/1	Ann Hettenbach	12/18	Bennett Minor
12/5	Bettye Conley	12/18	Nate Nanninga
12/6	Ben Field	12/19	Charlie Moad
12/7	Greyson Skeels	12/19	Jack Skeels
12/10	Ron Duncan	12/20	Gary Johnson
12/10	Jeremiah Johnson	12/21	Doris Karns
12/11	Jenny Byers	12/21	Natalie Skeels
12/12	Donna Schmidt	12/21	Donald Knowles
12/12	James Young	12/22	Mark Johnson
12/12	Kenneth Young	12/25	Christine Garrison
12/14	Krista Robards	125/28	Teresa Tenhumberg
12/15	Isaac Field	12/31	Ron Berry
12/15	Shawn Johnston	12/31	Morgan Lovell
12/16	James Gist

The men and women serving our country
Jonathon and Joshua Kelly -grandsons of Jim & Joan Baughn & nephews of Leonard & Roberta Lenfers
August Clarry - great– grandson of
Roland & Alice Garland
Jacob Toelle-great nephew of Deborah Schneider
Joseph Hale-grandson of Glenna Hale Ryan Skeels-son of Charlie and Beth Skeels
Keelan Calvert and Gary Huggins– nephews of Arthur & Ellie Lukenheimer
Ryan Grover, US Marine– grandson
of Gene and Elaine Goebel

Welcome Jay Sala! We were thrilled to have Jay join our membership. Jay is the husband of Stephanie Sala and brother-in-law to Gary and Shannon Johnson and Ron and Shirley Tillman. We look forward to getting to know Jay in the days ahead. Please add your own personal welcome as you have the opportunity.

Welcome Barb Gaisser! Barb is known to many of you for her years of work within the Association as a licensed minister. We welcome Barb into membership on letter of transfer from Zoar Church. We look forward to getting to know Barb better and to her contributions to our ministry at our church. Please look for an opportunity to extend your personal welcome in the days ahead.

St. Paul’s Men’s Ministry Update
Now that fall has arrived and summer’s heat is behind us, how can the Men’s Ministry help you? One of our favorite projects is lending a hand to members and friends in the community. These are projects we can normally complete in a few hours on a Saturday morning or a week night before dark. Examples of past jobs have been resealing a driveway, painting outdoor steps, cleaning gutters, cutting and clearing brush and fallen trees, building a small deck with steps, cleaning & painting shutters, as well as assisting in some general, light-duty remodeling. You might just need help getting Christmas decorations out of the attic. If you’d like to see if we can tackle a project for you, get in line early by calling Dave Henze (812-449-3854), or any other Men’s Ministry member.
St. Paul’s Men’s Ministry

Collecting Shoes for Belize
Beth Skeels is collecting good used shoes or new shoes for a fundraiser for Belize and Hope Gallery in Newburgh. If anyone has shoes they would like to donate, please contact Beth Skeels for pick up. Women's, Men's, youth, baby, high heels, work boots , boots, any style in good condition. These shoes will be for micro business around the world who need shoes to prevent injury and disease and for job opportunities. Beth will be collecting the month of December. Beth’s number is 812-480-7108

We will have our regular 10:00am Service on Christmas Eve.
We will also have a 4:00pm Service.

To the Congregation,
Thank you so much for your cards, well wishes and prayers during my recent surgery journey. I appreciate your caring and concern.
Donna Schmidt

My name is Ben Market, and I've been a scout with BSA Troop 374 at St Paul's for the last decade. I would like to give back to St. Paul's church by partially reconstructing the shelter house for my Eagle Project. If you would like to donate, please contact Scout Master Brian Market @ 812-305-7212

Men’s ministry would like to put up trees the same day as hanging of the greens, which is set for November 26th. Volunteers could come to the church at 8:00 am. that morning to set up and decorate.
Discussed alarm system glitches.
Discussed whether to have tv or speakers in nursery
President’s Report: Donna
Shoe collection will continue until end of November
Building – doesn’t have bid updates
Sign up sheet in back of church for hanging of the greens volunteers
Altar committee will decorate the windows and altar. They will also install Christmas pew candles
Narthex will have manger. Christmas trees will be in various places in the church.
Giving tree will be in back of church
The Skeels will help with outside decorations
Rickets with West Side Improvement gave us $400.00 for using our refrigerators and freezers
VP’s report: Myron
Has bids for kitchen cleaning. (Church members will empty the cabinets to prepare for cleaning.) The most reasonable was Bacor at $950.00. Jeanette Phillips stated that there ~$1000.00 in residual task money. We could use that for to pay Bacor. Myron made a motion. Sheila seconded. Motion carried.
Bonnie:
Getting volunteers to usher in November
Sound system – see Sheila
Sheila:
Sound desk update – will complete when desk is finished. Then, the Amish will install sound system in about 3 weeks.
Christmas meal
Ministry of opportunity
David:
Nothing new
Ruby:
Sister Joanna’s Table – St Paul’s GT to serve November 11
Jeff:
Project Clean Sweep – basement is now the focal point
Old Business:
Norma received bill for $1800.00 from the playground company. Need to check with Lynn Johnson about this.
New Business:
Nothing at present
Adjourned at 7:16. Next meeting November 30th, (fifth Thursday)
beg

St. Paul’S UCC German Township
Church Council Meeting
October 26, 2023
Present: Sheila Bender, Ruby Deutsch, Terry Farmer, Bonnie Garwood, Beth Gilles, Susan Henze, Steve Sampson, Donna Schmidt, Jeff Tillman & David Wires
6:00 Terry opened the meeting with prayer
Secretary’s Report: Beth Gilles
Susan made a motion to approve the minutes. David seconded. Motion carried
Treasurer’s Report: Susan
Money left in Mary Ann Yestingsmeier’s donations will be used for sound system and Bibles
Money from the Women’s Guild account moved to the general fund. Money will be earmarked for providing meat at funerals.
September report
Income: $13,571.00 General Fund: $113,161.92
Expenses: $20,207.85 Capital Fund: $979,402.94
Pastor’s Report for October 2023
Since the date of my last report (9/26/23), I have spent significant time on the following:
Worship planning, choir the 3M, Men’s Ministry, and the Study Window
ESTA clergy circle
ETSA Association Cabinet
Chautauqua planning
Sound System issues
Operation Clean Sweep
School Bag Mission Project
Vacation
Here are the dates of upcoming events:
The CROP walk is on Saturday, October 28th.
Trunk or Treat is on Sunday, October29th. If inclement weather, will be in fellowship hall
Fall Vespers is Sunday, November 12 at 6:00 pm.
Chautauqua Tuesday, November 14 at 6:00 pm.
Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 21 at 6:00 pm.
Memorial Sunday November 26 during worship.
Hanging of the Greens following worship on November 26.
Head Trustee Report: Steve
Maintained and planted flowers and bushes. Trimmed trees
Mowing crew kept grounds & tractor used by playground to ready area for grass seed
Mower storage building in place. Added gutter guards. Waiting for correct equipment to properly install ramps
Spoke with sound crew about new speaker wires. Will install after equipment cabinet is in place
Discussed options for possible tree removal in nature preserve next on neighbor’s property
Boy scout, Ben Market, has proposal for shelter house improvements. They will raise some money but asked the church for $300.00. Steve made motion to approve. Jeff seconded. Motion carried. Will address the roof repair at a later date.
(continue)

December 3	First Sunday of Advent and Communion Sunday
Message	New Participants, Old Patterns
Scripture	Isaiah 64:1-9
December 10	Second Sunday of Advent
Message	Rise of the Resistance
Scripture	Mark 1:1-8; 2 Peter 3:8-15(a)
December 17	Third Sunday of Advent
Message	Sometimes Life is a Musical
Scripture	Luke 1:46-80
December 24	Fourth Sunday of Advent
Message	Not What We Expected; Exactly What We Needed
Scripture	Jerimiah 30:8-11(a); Galatians 4:1-7
December 24	Christmas Eve
Message	The Fifth Act
December 31	The Sunday of Christmastide
Message	Amazing Things That Happened at Church
Scripture	Luke 2:22-40

St Paul’s United Church of Christ
FINANCIAL REPORT
October, 2023
2021

	Income
		Contributions		19,357.00
		Other Income		235.00
	Total Income			19,592.00
	Expenses
		Payroll & Benefits		12,601.35
		Administrative Expenses		1692.21
		Church Property Maintenance		10,346.79
		Outreach & Missions		2970.06
		Nurture & Discipleship		0.00
		Worship & Church Renewal		235.33
		Congregational Life		0.00
	Total Expenses			27,845.74

Sunday Service is now livestreamed at 10am. We will still send out the email link post to Facebook and on the website later in the day on Sunday. But you can subscribe to our YouTube channel or just find us on YouTube if you do not wish to wait for the link to be made available in one of these other ways. If you have any questions please feel free to call the office.

St. Paul’s News
NN

stpaulgtchurch@gmail.com / www.stpaulsgermantownhip.org / Find us on Facebook St. Paul’s UCC German Township

Study Window for December 2023
Looking out my study window, I am thinking that our Jewish friends got it right.
The “right” I am talking about is the importance of telling sacred stories over and over again, especially to children, so that all may remember the things that God has done. Our Jewish friends are very careful to retell and reenact, in a very particular way, the story of God’s rescue of the Israelites from the land of Egypt. This is done each year at the time of Passover with a special meal and the recital, by the use of questions and answers, of the miracle of the Exodus. Former pastors of St. Paul’s have, from time to time, led us in a partial reenactment of the Sedar meal.
At this time of year, another Jewish celebration, Hannukah, recalls the story from the apocryphal books of 1 and 2 Maccabees of the recapturing of the temple from Syrian invaders. The sacred flame was relit and burned for eight days and nights while the Temple was being restored. This happened despite the fact that there was not sufficient oil to keep the light burning for more than one day without Holy intervention. The lighting of the Menorah is one way that this story is retold and commemorated in the Jewish home. (Note: Hannukah is not regarded as some sort of Jewish Christmas even though it is observed at a similar time of year.)
I admire these practices. However, I am afraid that Christians sometimes fall short retelling our sacred stories in our homes. I am not sure why this is. It could be we underappreciate the value of this practice for ourselves and especially for the children. Perhaps we feel inadequate to the task, not comfortable that we know the stories. (But they are easily found in our Bible, and they can be located by using a quick internet search if needed.) Perhaps we have forgotten when we first heard them or think that the retelling is only for the church.
Fortunately, the Season of Advent offers us a practice that is ready made to help us tell the story of God’s work leading to the birth of Jesus. That is the practice of lighting Advent candles in the home. It is easy to find suggested Advent guides on the internet that can be used to tie a brief devotional and a scripture reading to the lighting of the weekly candle. This was done in my home as a child, and we continue this practice to this day. Some of my favorite memories of the season occurred when a child first got to light the candle, read a passage, or lead us in singing their favorite carol. I mention this as a suggestion for us to consider this year. We may only have a few chances to be with family during the season, but even if done only once or twice, this discipline can be a time of spiritual growth and an important witness to our faith that we can share in a safe way with our families.
Ok preacher. Sounds like a good idea. But I live alone or do not have children who will be in my home during Advent. Well, try doing this. Take time out to simply light a candle, it does not have to be a full wreath, and read part of the story each Sunday in Advent. The meat of the story can be found in three passages, Luke 1:1-2:20, Matthew 1:18-2:23, and, although a bit difficult to read, John 1:1-18. Grab a cup of tea, light a candle, and breathe in the story. It will be life giving. I guarantee it.
You may want to further enrich this practice by reflecting upon or telling others about your religious experiences that happened during the Advent and Christmas seasons. I am certain that you have memories of special services, Christmas pageants, and favorite carols through which God touched, and continues to touch, your heart. Let others be blessed by sharing what is special to you—your personal “sacred” story.
It is my prayer for you and yours that this Holy Season will provide you with an opportunity to restore your spirit, to relive fond memories, and to find deep joy. Remember, God sent Jesus for you.
Peace, blessed peace, be yours.
Pastor Terry

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