St. Paul Lutheran Church
Castle Rock, Washington
A community of faith that worships, grows, and serves.
"We are one body in Christ, united in baptism, renewed through
worship and prayer, and sent by God to serve"
Newsletter May 2012
Pastor’s Page
Come, let's shout praises to God,
raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let's march into his presence singing praises,
lifting the rafters with our hymns!
And why? Because God is the best, High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean—he owns it! His hands sculpted Earth!
So come, let us worship: bow before him,
on your knees before God, who made us!
Oh yes, he's our God, and we're the people he pastures,
the flock he feeds. -Psalm 95:1-7a (MSG)
So why do you come to worship? Why do you make the effort to come to St Paul on Sunday morning? What is it about this place that draws you in? Is it the people? Is it the music? Is it the Word proclaimed, or the Sacraments administered? Or maybe it’s because of what the Psalmist had to say: we come to worship because God is the best. He is the best because of what he has done for us and to us. He is the best because of what he continues to do for us: forgiving our sin, offering salvation and life everlasting; equipping us for each day’s tasks; bringing us together as community to be strengthened so that we may go to proclaim His name.
Whatever your reason, we want to know. Shortly you will receive a survey inquiring why you worship at the service you do. We are doing this in part to determine what you like (or dislike) about the worship services we have, and to see if there is any place we can improve. One of the mission priorities that the congregation identified when I first arrived was increased opportunities to worship. What does that mean for us now and how do we move forward? Hopefully the survey will give us some answers to those questions, as well as provide some direction.
Finally, as we move into the summer months, we will again be combining the two services into one, meeting at 10 a.m. This means that we will have both classic and modern styles of worship. No matter what the style though, the purpose of worship is to “raise the roof for the Rock who saved us”, to give our thanks and praise for the One who claims us as His people. -Pastor Bob
Parish Nurse Notes
I have had numerous requests to talk about Pertussis or whooping cough.
Cowlitz County has had a significant increase in this life threatening disease, Pertussis. It is a highly contagious disease, and is easily spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It especially harmful to newborns, infants and the elderly. This disease can lead to pneumonia.
You can prevent Pertussis by getting vaccines. This is the DTP (diphtheria,tetanus,pertussis). Symptoms are like a cold, with a mild cough and the cough becomes more severe and louder.
It is important to see you doctor since it is difficult to diagnose. Your doctor may take a sample of mucus from your nose or throat and have it tested for the bacteria and then treat with antibiotics. Washing your hands often and staying away from people who have a bad cough may help you avoid getting the disease! Check your vaccines and make sure you are up to date!
To your Health, K.C., R.N.
**Remember: If you would like K.C. to write on a particular subject, she is always open for suggestions. You can speak to her in person, or call her at 430-8880.
Council Meeting Highlights
For your information, here are some highlights of the last Council meeting held on April 12, 2012:
- There is much concern about the increasing deficit in the General Fund monthly. There will be a workshop at the next Council Meeting to go over the accounts and discuss solutions.
- The Council is looking for two more members to appoint to the Memorial Committee.
- There is a concern about the lack of security in our building and we are considering remedies for this.
- A special thank you goes to Howard Houser for the time and the work he donated on the PUD project to upgrade our lighting. Have you noticed how the lighting has improved? Did you know that this will also save us a lot of money annually?
The next council meeting will be May 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. -Linda Solberg, Secretary
Have You Checked Us Out on Facebook Yet?
Here’s the address:
www.facebook.com/pages/St-Paul-Lutheran-Castle-Rock/117646231594281
Pam’s Story
The following is an article written by Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President Emeritus, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Presidential Ambassador for Mission Advancement, Concordia University Texas
“In a recent e-mail, I read about a woman named Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.”
“Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn’t think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.”
“While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: ‘If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher.’
“Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also playes football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.”
“The University of Florida’s star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football’s highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness. As a result, he is being called The Mile- High Messiah.”
“Tim’s notoriety and the family’s inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women’s centers acress the country. Pam Tebow believes that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!”
Monthly Financial Report
Figures are regarding the General Fund:
Total giving as of April 25th is $12,127.00
Approximately $13,500.00 is needed each month to cover expenses.
- Carol Adams, Treasurer
REMEMBER:
Our Summer worship begins Sun., May 27
ONE SERVICE ONLY - 10:00 A.M.
Join us for worship on May 6th when Pastor Eric Wangen-Hoch from Living Stones Prison in Shelton, Wash. will be our guest speaker. (He will speak at both services.)
Vacation Bible School
VBS will be each morning. Please contact Linda Staudinger or Pastor Bob is you would like to volunteer your services!
Youth Building Mission
The dates for the building mission trip are June 26 - July 2 (Tuesday-Monday)
We will be going to Montana working on CAP Homes. Watch for our raffle tickets and Taco Feed coming soon. Our next meeting is Sunday, May 6th.
Birthdays
1 - Dick Titus
3 - Sylvia Mueller, Violette Benham
4 - Mick Seidl
5 - Kenna Remmers
6 - Regan Smith
7 - Shaylynn Houser
8 - Don Strain
11 - Brad Cooper
13 - Claire Catt, Jessica Hensley
15 - Karen Cripe, Tiffany Seidl
16 - McKinnley Franklin
17 - Rachel Myers
18 - Ben Johnson, Gracie Whitten, Lucas Myers
19 - Cheri Houser
22 - Nathen Ross
23 - Jeff Cooper, Flannery Martin
24 - Carl Kittelson, Caleb Neuneker, Avery Ness
27 - Harriet Shero
28 - Margretta Johnston
29 - Tessa Hensley
31 - Lauren Foster
Aniverseries
1 - Bob And Deb Sinclair
4 - Don and Kathy Strain
15 - Lucas and Rachael Myers
18 - Sandy Catt and Bary Bruner
29 - Gary and Lois Wilbur
Thank you’s go out to:
- Earl Small for touching up the paint in the hallway and fellowship hall.
- The volunteers who offer to usher at the funeral/memorial services.
- The Funeral Committee ladies who provide food for the families who have lost a loved one.
Our sympathies to:
The families of Mary Edythe Berg, Sarah Brazier, and Lynda Frantsvog. Memorial services were held on April 21st for Mary Edythe, April 14th for Sarah, and April 28th for Lynda.
Members and Friends with Prayer Concerns
Caregivers and Care receivers:
Evelyn LeMonds, Sue LeBaron, Ted Oswalt, Bill Hoch, Tom Monson
Those with health concerns:
Mary (K. Hinesley’s mother), Carol (K. Cooper’s mother), Joyce LeMonds, Cliff LeMonds, Dick Titus, Clarabelle Titus, Holly Ylinen, Carson Gulliford, Ella Cunnen, Larry and Dennis Zea, Walter Berndt, Madonna Underland, Vineta’s niece, Betty Rose, Gayle Agren
Hunger Task Force Has a Need
WANTED: 5" cotton squares
The Hunger Task Force is collecting 5" cotton squares to sell at the fall Quilt Show. Your scraps could be a "find" for some quilter.Feel free to drop your squares off at the church.