November 11/12, 2017 23rdSunday after Pentecost

Matthew 25:4 “… but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” Why did they take flasks of oil with them? Because they listened to the Bridegroom’s words and believed them. Our actions always start with and flow from our beliefs. What do your actions in the realm of stewardship say about what you believe?

A MEASURE OF OUR LOVEAttendance:Attendance:Saturday6 p.m. =77;Sunday8 a.m. =60; Sunday 10:30 a.m. =112;Total for the weekend= 249;Sunday School (2’s) =2;(PK. to 5th grade) =25; Jr. High Bible Class =2;High School =3;Adult Bible Class =38; Moms Morning Mingle =5; Thursday Bible Class =no class.

Contributions: Envelopes $ 7,895; Plate $685;Budget Booster $50; Connect $1,460; ECC Tuition $4,490;Office Rental $70; Mingle Bible Study Reimb. $13; Flowers $40; Lutheran Witness $18; ACH $1,735;Total General Fund Deposit = $16,456;Other Designated Giving: Missions $210; Chapel $12.54;Scholarship Fund $50; Total Designated Fund Deposit $272.54.

GF/Connect Financial Update AS OFOctober 22, 2017

Income Update / 16/17 YTD Actuals / 17/18
YTD Actuals / % Change / 171/18 YTD Budget / Projected Difference
Envelope and Plate Offerings / $103,554 / $108,831 / 5.1% / $109,768 / $(3,916)
Building Fund / $16,001 / $18,270 / 14.2% / $9,715 / $ 8,854

Adult Information Class. This class teaches the basic doctrine of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and can lead to membership at St. Paul’s. It will be on Mondays: November 20. The time will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. If you are interested, please let me know. Also, invite your friends to consider being a part of this class as well.

CONFIRMATION CHALLENGE: All the members of St. Paul’s should have received a letter with the Confirmation Challenge. We have been asked for a donation for the number of years since you were confirmed. This contribution will be going towards the mortgage on the Ministry Center. The goal of $15,000 was set for this challenge (150 years). To date, we have raised $12,296! That is tremendous. The challenge continues through this anniversary year. If you have not made your pledge or gift, this week would be a good time to do it. The Lord has truly blessed us through our 150 years of Word and Sacrament ministry.

NEWS FROM SUNDAY SCHOOL- There will be NO Sunday School Class on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and New Years Eve (Dec. 31).

ADVENT DINNERS: December is fast approaching and with it comes the Advent season. The Dates are ALL open Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The dinners are served from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall (basement). We serve app. 45-60 people each week at a dinner. If you would be interested in serving one of the dinners, please call Kathy Brumm at the church office (667-6681) or email ().

Those involved in the Ministry of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
New, interested in a particular function or getting involved?
Have a question? Here’s who to talk to at St. Paul’s:

Pastor: Rev. Mitchel Schuessler, 553-3133

Church Secretary: Kathy Brumm, 667-6681

School: K-8 –

School Secretary: Linda Craig, 667-6314

Early Childhood Center (Day Care): Michelle Warner, 667-2173

Church Council Chairman: – Jacob Doyle, 618-334-3871

Board of Elders: Jeremy Lagerhausen, Head Elder, 1-217-821-3468

Board of Stewardship & Finance: Jason Kesterson, 407-0304

Financial Secretary: Rebekah Norris, 267-7892

Bookkeeper: Cheryl Chrusciel,

Board of Evangelism: Lauren McLaughlin, 977-2744

Board of Christian Education: Carla Stille,

Board of Christian Day School: Todd Kenison, 980-5656or

Board of Trustees: Todd Moore, 779-3444

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML): Kathy Nehrt

Youth Group: [7th-12th grade] Rachael Beckemeyer, 367-2463

Head Usher: Seth Schaefer, 345-6487

Altar Guild: Jeanette Gindler, 667-6852 and Debbie Wittenberg, 667-7357

Choirs:Family Choir – Ted Fedder, 667-6250

Glorious Day/Praise Team – Tom Rampold 667-8771

Men’s Ministry: Pastor Schuessler,

Holy Smokers: Dave Meyer, 667-1347

Confirmation Class: Pastor Schuessler, 553-3133

Helping Hands [funeral dinners, social ministry needs]: Grace Cottingham 667-6552, Shirley Rood, 667-9256.

St. Paul’s PTL: Tiffany James, 541-8775

Prayer Chain: Adeline Amen, 667-2549 and Debbie Wittenberg, 667-7357

SAUSAGE SUPPER at St. Paul Lutheran, Hamel, IL on Sunday, November 12, 2017. Serving from 11:30 am – 5:30 pm, in the school gymnasium. Adults and Carry-outs - $10, children 7-12 is $5, under 6 are Free.

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CEMETERYwill be raising the cost of graves effective January 1, 2018 to $800.00. Currently the grave cost is $600.00 and will remain that until December 31, 2017. Anyone interested in purchasing a lot please contact the church office at 667-6681.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL’S

12 / 8:00 a.m.Worship
9:15 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Class
10:30a.m. Worship with Holy Communion
SUN
13 / 6:30 p.m. School Board Meeting
7:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting
MON
14 / 9:45 a.m. Mom’s Morning Mingle
11:30 a.m. Pastoral Winkel
TUES
T
15 / 8:30 a.m. Chapel
9:45 a.m. Ladies Bible Study
4:30 p.m. Confirmation Class
6:30 p.m. Church Council Meeting
WED
16 / 2:00 p.m. Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Family Choir Practice
THURS
17
FRI
18 / 6:00 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion
SAT
19 / 8:00 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion
9:15 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Class
10:30 a.m. Worship
SUN
Saturday, November 11 – 6:00 p.m.:Acolyte:Ellie Corder; Elder: Sam Italiano; Ushers: Brion Boeshans, Jesse James, Sam Italiano and Kyle Sipes; Greeters: Jim & Shirley Rood; Organist: Jo White; Altar Guild: Jeanette Gindler and Jeanette Gindler.
Sunday, November 12 – 8:00 a.m.: Acolyte: Anna Reese; Ushers: Kyle Norris, Mike Salanitro, Brett Sollberger and Joe Walls; Greeter: Brock & Julie Nosbisch; Pianist: Erica Sipes.
Sunday, November 12 - 10:30 a.m. Acolyte: Amanda Beuth; Elders: ; Ushers: Keith Jackson, Ryan Kaffer, Bruce McLaughlin and Mark Schlemer; Greeters: Rod & Beth Repp; Pianist: Erica Sipes; Bulletin Collator: Todd & Sheryl Moore; Altar Guild: Jeanette Gindler and Jo Ann Harris; Flowers: In Honor of Connie Chrusciel 90th Birthday.
Saturday, November 18 – 6:00 p.m.:Acolyte:Ellie Corder; Elder: Sam Italiano; Ushers: Brion Boeshans, Sam Italiano, Randy Jones and Seth Schaefer; Greeters:Len & Judy Suess; Organist:Claudia Loethen; Altar Guild:Verona Meier and Pat Peverly.
Sunday, November 19 – 8:00 a.m.: Acolyte:Steve Leitschuh; Elders: ; Ushers:Jim Kesterson, Kyle Norris, Mike Salanitro and Ken Sipes; Greeter:Sheryl Moore; Organist:Claudia Loethen; Altar Guild:Verona Meier and Pat Peverly.
Sunday, November 19 - 10:30 a.m. Acolyte:Logan DiRosa; Ushers:Keith Jackson, Jason Kesterson, Mark Schlemer and David Thomas; Greeters:Roy & JoAnn Harris; Organist:Claudia Loethen; Bulletin Collator:Larry & Donna Ponce.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Nov.11: Doris Lyons

12: Bernadel Brodie

13: Connie Chrusciel, Emily Hoge, Lauren McLaughlin, Tom Unger

14: Linda Craig, Michael Krueger

15: Tony Avers, Tristan Clover, Alan Kilzer

16: Cathy Bess, Brooke Merkel, Jayden Ponce, Brayden Proffitt

17: Shawn Niebruegge, Tammy Rodenbaugh

PRAYERS FOR:Andrew Berger (Japan), Aaron Bohnenstiehl,Kathy Brink, Caroline Bushrow,Theresa Campe,Larry Carthy,Bill Clark, Patrick Davidson, Jim Diemer,Steve Doyle (surgery),Jennie Egan,Darrell Evans, Dawn Ezell,Vicky Fischer,Doug Fitzgerald, Ashley Fitzler,Sarah Frey,John Giesler, Darilyn Johnson,Shawn Kitowski, Patience Kitowski,Helen Klausing,Bill Kohl, Lisa Linders, Valerie Meyer,Del Milkert, Judy Morgan, Jerry Nolte,Carolyn Oakley, Lawrence Ponce, Alicia Raynor, Linda Roschnafsky, John Salanitro, Carla Samson, Shirley Seib,Neal Schmitz, Kim Shores, Lyle Suedmeyer,Doug Switzer, Darrell Titus,Stella Vivod, Bill Wittmaierand Christy Youngblood.

PRAYER FOR: Connie Chrusciel celebrating her 90th birthday.

PRAY FOR ALL those that are serving in the military: Nate Alvis, Aimee Alvstad, David Berger (Afghanistan),Carolyn Brynildsen, Jared Brynildsen,Austin Counts(Bahrain), Natalie Emmons, Tonya Hupp, Jacob Kohl, Nathan Kohl,Cole Long, Chris Payne, Kelly Sawielski,Jason Schlechte, Daniel Schorfheide and Ian Sikes.

We are always glad to pray for the needs of your family, friends, co-workers and others in our worship services. Normally, we will include a request for four weeks. If you would like prayers to continue beyond four weeks, please renew your request. You may call or email the church office.

CALLING ALL FAMILIES WITH PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, 3-5 years old not already in preschool at St. Paul’s day school, we would like to invite your children to join us for our annual Christmas Program. The children will be participating in a church service designed for their age with songs, finger plays, and the Christmas story on Sunday December 17th at 2 p.m. There will be practices on Saturday mornings Dec. 9th and 16th from 8:30-9:30 a.m. We look forward to having your children join us in sharing the story of Jesus’ birth. Mrs. Lilienkamp and Mrs. Claytonmay be reached by calling the school office at 667-6314.

.OnDeck This Week at Saint Paul’s

Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, School and ECC Troy, IllinoisChurch Phone: 618-667-6681 School Phone: 618-667-6314

November11/12, 2017

WE WELCOME ALL WHO WORSHIP AT ST. PAUL’S.We pray that God will bless your worship with us. Please register your attendance on the pad at the end of the pew after the offering. As a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS), St. Paul’s practices close communion. We believe that receiving the Lord’s Supper together shows a common confession of faith in all areas of doctrine (not just in Communion).

If you are a member of a LC-MS congregation in good standing, you are invited to receive communion. If you are not a member of a LC-MS congregation, please talk with the pastor or an elder prior to the service. The elders are the gentlemen that are wearing the “ELDER” badges.

We offer both the common cup and individual up to those who commune. The center individual cups are white grape juicefor those who are not able to have wine.Children are welcome to come forward with their family to receive a blessing. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper in every Saturday service, in the Sunday 8:00 a.m. on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday, and in the Sunday 10:30 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Sunday.

New or visiting today? Please be sure to sign our Guest Register in the narthex. You’ll findplenty of useful information in this OnDeck (published weekly). You may also go to and find the monthly newsletter and other information about the church, school and daycare.

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THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP SERVICE is Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:00 pm. Invite your family and friends to come to this special service as we give thanks to God for the blessings He has given to us.

THANK YOU: We thank Rev. Brad Thomas for leading worship this Saturday. Rev. Thomas is chaplain at Meridian Village, Glen Carbon.

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS, the magazine of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is available for subscription orders. The magazine is full of thoughtful, timely and scholarly articles about various subjects that emerge in the church. The cost for a year's subscription is $18. Your order is needed by November 10th. If you would like to receive a subscription please contact the church office at 667-6681 or

ST. PAUL’S 150TH HISTORY BOOK: Every St. Paul’s family should pick up their 150th Anniversary book printed special at this time. They are available in the narthex. Please sign the sheet so we know that your family has received their book.