St. Paul's December 2002 Newsletter page four

We had our annual Thank Offering Service on Wednesday, November 13. Phyllis Anderson, our Spiritual Life Leader, conducted an impressive service in the Chapel. Phyllis selected appropriate Thanksgiving passages from the Bible. We all sang the Thanksgiving hymns. She emphasized how thankful we all should be for our many blessings.

Members brought canned goods which were placed on the Altar. In addition to these food articles, our special Thank Offering will be given to Our Lady of Lourdes Food Bank who help needy families of Milltown.

Donna Young, our President, had a short business meeting. Please note important dates. December is a busy month.

November 27 – Thanksgiving Eve Service with the Methodist Church.

The Guild is responsible for refreshments following the service. Finger food needed.

December 8 – Family Christmas Potluck Supper, following the Christmas pageant. Sarah Circle will set up.

December 10 – Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. (Social Hall) The gifts for the Nursing Home will be wrapped. We will need wrappers.

December 15 – Fund raiser Cookie Walk. Cookies will be sold following the morning Church service. $5.00 per pound.

December 21 – Saturday 9:00 a.m. (Social Hall) Fruit baskets will be prepared. Ladies, your help is needed.

We worked on crafts for Meals on Wheels and Nursing Home trays.

Grace Novello and her culinary talent provided the delicious refreshments.

In place of our regular December meeting, all are encouraged to attend the Christmas Family Dinner on December 8^th.

^{Happy Thanksgiving to All –

Count your blessings.
Ruth C. Karren, Secretary}

The Martha Circle met on Monday evening, November 18th in the Social Hall with our leader, Ruth Karren presiding. Marie Rittman opened devotions with a very thought-provoking prayer entitled “Slow Me Down Lord” and followed with a Thanksgiving reading and poems.

We discussed various Circle and Guild activities – see Guild report in the Tidings for dates. The next Circle meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 16th in the Social Hall. Dot Klesitz will have devotions and refreshments will be served by Donna Young. In lieu of a grab bag gift, we will make a monetary donation to the Needy Cases Fund.

Ruth led a discussion on the important role color plays in the symbolism and worship of the church. This was very interesting and provided a lot of discussion. (Thank you Ruth for “refreshing our memories” about the church colors and seasons. We will now become more aware of these changes.)

We wish you all a very happy and blessed Holiday Season.

May there truly be “peace on earth”!!!

^{Marjorie Conger, Secretary}

The Women’s Guild will be collecting small items for the residents of several local Nursing Homes. We would appreciate your help and offer the following gift suggestions:

Notions/Toiletries

Combs, hair brushes
Toothpaste, toothbrushes
Soap, Shampoo
Bath powder
Hand Lotion
Deodorants
Facial tissue
Emery boards

Male or Female

Socks, slipper socks (any size)

Miscellaneous

Large print books
Large piece puzzles
Playing cards
Writing paper, small note pads
Pens, pencils
Wrapped candy
Lap robes
Jewelry (new)

Appropriate boxes will be placed in the Narthex and Social Hall Sunday, December 1 and December 8, 2002. Deadline for accepting these items will be Sunday, December 8, 2002. Christmas Gift Wrapping Paper also needed!

Thank you for your help!!!

Any questions, call
Marjorie Conger (828-2279).

The Golden Chain of Care

It is ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, it is a small group of women who care.

It is the OLDER members of ST. PAUL’S that can no longer come to church.

It is a CIRCLE OF LOVE, with caring people as the links.

It may be a pretty CARD in the MAIL, a pleasant VOICE on the PHONE, or a VISIT.

It is SERVING GOD, it is OBEYING JESUS who told us to love one another.

OUR MOTTO IS:

I am only one,
I cannot do everything,
but I can do something
with the help of GOD.

Dec. 1	Dec. 8	Dec. 15	Dec. 22	Dec. 29
Jake Scelsa	Christopher Rampacek