Sunday, October 1 , 2023
8:45 am    Sunday School
9:00 am    Family Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Continuous Flow Communion

Monday
Elders Meeting

Tuesday
5:00 pm   Soccer @ Mankato
7:00 pm   Bible Study

Wednesday
2:00 pm   Bible Study
3:45 pm   Confirmation Class
7:00 pm   Choir Practice

Thursday
10:00 am Bulletin Information Due in the Office
4:00 pm    Soccer with PLS

Friday
12:15 pm School Dismissal

Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023
8:45 am  Sunday School
9:00 am  Family Bible Study
10:00 am Worship / MVL Choir
Youth Group Trip to Luce Line Orchard

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ST. PAUL’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH’S MISSION STATEMENT
We, the members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran congregation are here to share the truth of God's Word.  We use the message of Christ to nurture one another that we might be equipped to spread the message of Christ to all people.
   
 
WEEK DAY BIBLE CLASSES will meet this Tuesday evening, Oct. 3, at 7:00pm and Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 4, at 2:00pm.  Our series is “Timely Topics, Timeless Truths.”  This week our class will be focused on those who say, “I’m Spiritual, Not Religious.” How do you respond to those people who may say that? Can you be spiritual and not religious?  Let’s find out? The class on Tuesday evening is repeated on Wednesday afternoon.  Please join us for either class in a discussion of God’s Word.
 
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER is in your mail box this morning here at church. Take a look and pick it up.  If not then it was sent to you by email this week. If you are not getting a copy, please let the church office know.  You can also find the newsletter on our church website.
 
FORWARD IN CHRIST – October issue is here. Make sure you pick up your copy in the narthex.  It is full of devotions, faith-strengthening stories, and lots of information about our synod’s mission work in our country and throughout the world.  The articles are short and well-written.
 
St. Paul’s School Clothing - Here is the website for ordering Saints Gear!   www.thefarmhousecrafter.com. 
 
School Pictures - Please take a minute to check out the pictures that are posted on the "St. Paul's School" bulletin board in the narthex. They were taken years ago at some school activities. Can you help us identify the years that they were taken?  If you know, just write the year on the paper that is posted by each picture.  Thanks!
 
Youth Group - Youth Group will be enjoying a corn maze at the Luce Line Orchard in Watertown on Sunday October 8th. We plan on leaving church about noon. Lunch is available on the grounds or bring your own. There is a $5 corn maze paid for by Youth Group funds. They offer many free activities like hay mountains, Luce Line Hoops, corn pit, walking trails, and animals. Other things like hayrides, apple slinger, face painting and much more are available for a fee. We plan to be back to church about 3:30. Talk to Jenny and Darv Scherer for more info.

Bell Tower Repair - Next summer we need to do major stone and cement work on the bell tower.  The cost is just under $19,000.  A special fund has been established for this project if you would like to donate or perhaps give a memorial or a gift in honor of someone.  We have a great start with $9,500 contributed to date.
 
Porky’s - Roger & Mary Fisher submitted a letter to the council that they are stepping down from the county fair event at Porky’s.  Our church has run the food building for 18 years and has raised over $114,000 for the church.  If a group or couple in the congregation is interested in this outreach opportunity please speak to the church council.
 
October is Diaper Drive Month!  The ladies of the Mission Society are sponsoring the annual Diaper drive for the support of clients at New Day Pregnancy Counseling Center.  New Day is an arm of Christian Life Ministries which counsels expectant mothers on options other than abortion. All sizes are needed, especially size one and above. Opened or partial packages are welcome, so if baby has outgrown a size and you have “leftovers,” please consider donating them to this worthy cause. The diapers and wipes we collect are packaged in small quantities and distributed according to need. These small gifts open a door for sharing the gospel message with young mothers and their family members.  On all the Sundays in October, look for the “pack ‘n play” in the narthex to drop in your donation.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.  This project is supported by Thrivent.
 
Lutheran Girls Pioneers – Fall Family Adventures "An Afternoon at 7-mile Creek Park", October 1^st @ 2:00 pm.  All are welcome. The park is located on highway 169, 1/2 way between Mankato and St. Peter. It is on your left when coming from Mankato, or on your right when coming from St. Peter. There are trails for hiking and playground equipment. We are also planning some yard games. We will have a snack buffet, so we are asking each family to bring a snack to share. It can be bars, cookies, chips, fruit, veggies etc. Any snack item to share with the group! Plates, cups, napkins, and beverages will be provided.  Seven Mile Creek
County Park https://www.co.nicollet.mn.us/349/Parks-Trails
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School is coming here on Sunday, October 8^th.  MVL choir will sing several songs during the 10 am service.  The congregation and all guests are welcome to attend the breakfast that will follow. Michael's food is providing the eggs, Thrivent is providing the ham, and baked goods will be donated by our choir. The free-will donation will go toward MVL’s Building on the Rock Campaign adding more classrooms, a field house and a fine arts event center on campus
 
MVL Kitchen  -  Are you interested in casual employment or volunteering in the MVL kitchen?  This is an on-call position to substitute on days that the regular workers are gone.  Please reach out to Mrs. Fluegge for more information.  Please call or text 507-993-5195.  foodservice@mvlhs.org
 
Martin Luther College Ladies Auxiliary will meet on Saturday, Oct 7 from 9:00 - 12:30.  Everyone is welcome to attend and hear about the activities on campus, goals for the future, and how we can support the students.  A sneak preview of the fall musical Hello Dolly will be given also.  You can even have lunch in the cafeteria!  Please contact Pat Grabitske (964-5878) for carpool information.
 
2023 Men of His Word Conference - The 7^th annual Men of His Word Conference (Theme: MAN UP: in a man down world) will be held at the Rochester Civic Center in downtown Rochester on October 28th, 2023. Please go online at www.menofhisword.org to register and get details about schedule, breakout sessions, keynote speaker, cost, etc.  Please join us for a day of worship, praise and fellowship in God’s Word!
 
MLC Wind Symphony Concert - Let the drums roll out; let the trumpet call, while the people shout, “Strike up the Band!” Please join the Martin Luther College Wind Symphony for their opening concert of the year on Sunday, October 1. As part of our Homecoming weekend activities, this concert has a special start time of 1:00 pm. Works by Grainger, Vaughan-Williams, and Fillmore will be featured in a program highlighting some of the classics in wind band repertoire. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
God’s Treasures Child Care  in Winthrop is looking to add additional   part-time caregivers.  Must be 18 years of age or older.  It is our goal to provide the scheduled hours that work best for the interested individual. A background check is required along with CPR/First Aid and additional online training.  Staff is always working with at least one additional caregiver, most often our Director, Jessica Schmidt.  We have the privilege of working with dedicated volunteers as well. God’s Treasures Child Care is a Christ Centered program providing care to children ages 6 weeks to age 5.  If you are interested, or would like more information please contact Jessica Schmidt 507-217-2004, or email godstreasureschildcare@gmail.com
 
WELS/OWLS Travel Tours  - Does the idea of traveling with your faith family appeal to you? If so, the OWLS (WELS Seniors group) is offering bus tours (open to all W/ELS members) that may be a great way for you to see more of God’s world while enjoying fellowship with God’s people. A November trip to the Scenic Southeast and a January winter warmup tour to South Florida are now open for registration, while spring and summer trips will be available to book starting on October 13. Learn more at www.fathersworldtours.com or call Steve Balza at 507-217-1731. 
 
Food Shelves - The items were delivered on Monday, Sept. 25^th.
September Sibley County Food Share
90 lbs.
 
September MLC Food Shelf
68 lbs.
 
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.  1 John 4:21
 
 “Time of Grace” – If you are not able to come to church, you can watch “Time of Grace” Ministry with lead speaker Pastor Mike Novotny.  “Time of Grace” is on at 10:30 a.m. on KARE11 on Sunday mornings.  You can also go to their website and access it at any time you want to at www.timeofgrace.org.