Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul’s,
As we begin another program year and people return from vacations, there’s a lot to catch up on at church. Here are some updates, news and needs:
· Adult Bible studies will begin after Labor Day. Our Tuesday evening group will be working through a course called Genesis to Revelation: A Bible Overview. I will lead us through course videos, Bible readings and discussion each week. We meet from 6-7pm weekly on Tuesdays, beginning September 8. Our Thursday morning group will be reading through the book of Romans to learn more about Paul’s teachings to the early church and how they apply to our faith today. We meet weekly on Thursdays from 10:00-11:15am, beginning September 10.
· Ed is at work preparing music for our various music ensembles. We would love for you to join Grace Notes (youth), Handbells or Tutti Voce Choir. The Same Spirit Band also leads worship every other Sunday. If you would like to know more about any of these groups, reach out to Ed.
· For children and youth, Sunday School and Sunday School 2.0 will be starting up again on September 20. Both groups meet weekly after worship at 10:45am. Even if you can only attend once in a while, we hope you’ll join us!
· Confirmation classes are traditionally for those in 7th and 8th grade, but can be expanded to older youth that have not yet gone through confirmation. It is a two-year program that meets twice a month. Depending on our participants, class scheduling can be flexible to best meet the needs of the group. We are in the process of forming our class for this year. Let me know if you’d like to join us.
· Youth Group for those in 7th through 12th grade meets twice a month on Sunday evenings. This year, we welcome Jenn Russell as a second youth leader alongside Mike Jacob. Under their leadership, we’re looking forward to a great year of fun, faith, and fellowship. Our first youth group will be on Sunday, September 27. Dinner is at 5:30pm, followed by youth group at 6:00pm.
· Bev Grazioli will be helping our high school youth prepare for the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, MN. There will be lessons, fundraisers, and planning meetings. Check out the Car Wash on September 13 and the Community Yard Sale on September 26. Both of these fundraisers will benefit the Youth Gathering trip. We will have an interest meeting on Sunday, September 27 at 6:45pm during youth group.
· We are also in need of some help at church in a variety of ways. We are seeking a manager for the Memorial Garden. We are thankful for the many years of service provided by Louise and Doug Hikade, but now it’s time to raise up new leaders. It involves someone who can manage the records, prepare the garden for interment of ashes, and mount the memorial plaque on the garden wall. Training will be provided.
· We need an organized person to lead our Property Team. This individual would run monthly meetings, take notes, keep track of progress on church projects, and communicate with the church office. It would also be helpful if they could meet contractors for bids when necessary.
· Altar Guild is looking for additional help. Peg Biringer takes the lead for Altar Guild, but we are seeking volunteers to help with setup and cleanup each week for worship. This involves setting the altar, checking the candles, cleaning up communion vessels, and sometimes other small tasks in preparing for worship. Training and guidance are provided. It would be excellent if we had enough volunteers that we weren’t calling on the same people each week. If you would like to volunteer in any of these ways, or would like to know more, please let me know.
· Finally, an update. Beginning September 1, I will be serving as the Vice Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington. This is an appointment made by the New Jersey Synod, and it does not affect my time and commitment to St. Paul’s. I will be serving in a very limited capacity, about 10-15 hours a month, primarily with pastoral care and administrative duties. I will not be leading Sunday worship with them. This is an example of the ways in which pastors, and all Christians, are called to serve in the larger community. I look forward to partnering with them through their time of transition. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
St. Paul’s is a vibrant congregation with ministries for all ages. Whether you choose one of the ministries I’ve mentioned or another opportunity to serve, I hope that you will find a way to get involved this fall. I am thankful for each of you and your partnership in sharing the gospel.
Peace,
Rev. Jessica Hahn