February 2013

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Raritan, New Jersey The Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Jones, Pastor Stephen Jones Secretary Church Office: 908-722-6111 Parsonage: 908-725-1651 Office hours: 9:00 am12:00 noon, MondayFriday In case of a pastoral emergency, please call the pastor anytime. St. Paul is celebrating its second century of service to Christ and to others. We welcome you to join us!

(This letter first appeared in the packet for the annual meeting.) Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, For everything there is a season, the writer of Ecclesiastes tells us, and a time for every matter under heaven. For him, this was a sign of the senselessness of our existence, as he explains with the series of contrasts that follows. A time to be born, he begins, and a time to die. Later he adds, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. These may not seem very upbeat words to introduce the materials for our annual meeting, yet they seem especially important this year. By the time of the meeting, I will have conducted four funeral and memorial services in the month of January. God was ready to call these four people home, people whose ages were 85, 85 again, 92 and 96. Their deaths may seem a time of weeping and mourning, but also of laughter and dancing, as we grieve for the loss of friends and loved ones but also celebrate the new life they now experience with Christ Jesus. By contrast, February already has on its schedule the baptism of twin infants. On the day of their baptisms we will celebrate, in a different way, the new life they now experience with Christ Jesus. There is a time to be born, a time to laugh, a time to dance! The same contrasts are true in the life of a congregation. There is a time to be born and a time to die. We know when St. Paul was born; it was founded in 1894, and next year will celebrate its 120th anniversary. What we do not know is if, or when, it will die. Most congregations in America do not live much beyond their 80th birthdays. We passed that milestone long ago! But because only God knows how long this congregation will last, our challenge is to live not as if these were the last days, but as if life will go on, ministry will continue, and God will bless usas he has promisedthrough the preaching of his Word and the administration of his sacraments. Our further challenge is to invite others to hear the Good News that God speaks to us. Did you know that 19 out of 20 people who join a congregation do so because a friend invited them! Are there those in our lives who could share in our joy at being able to worship God and to be nourished for this life with bread and wine, body and blood? Are there family members who need to hear a welcoming word? God never promised that any single congregation would last forever. What he did promise is that his Church would last, and that even the gates of hell would never prevail against it. Members dont last; at the appropriate time, God calls them home. Even pastors dont last, although St. Paul has been blessed with long pastorates. For everything there is a season! For this new year at St. Paul there is a time for birth and death, weeping and laughter, mourning and dancing. Join me in the celebration! Pastor Jones
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The Saint Paul Epistle

SERVING THE LORD February 2013 Ushers February Birthdays 1. Madeline Purcell 3. Irma Dildine Milan Horvath 5. Maerene Schroedel Sophie Paternoster 6. Anna Wirzman 8. Edward Purcell Thomas von Spreckelsen 9. Katherine Jones 12. Jessica Chalupa 13. Drew Sanseverino 18. Karen Amundsen 19. Robert Willard 20. Gerry Stapleton 21. Helen Meyer Josephine Sabol 22. Jamie Breslin 23. Olga Balla 26. Dana Ahlstrom 28. Dennis Babey Michael Kornas Eleanor Sabol Ned Lombardy Marie Lombardy Kim Biely Marianne Jacobs Greeter Sharon Staker Stewards Ned Lombardy Marie Lombardy Communion Ware Linda Eppedio Louise Del Vecchio Lay Reader Gerry Stapleton Communion Assistants Jerry Sanseverino Don Hagen Bob Byington

The ladies of the LWS are planning for our spring rummage sale on April 6. Our first sorting session was held in January. We appreciate all donations of gently used clothing and useable household items and linens. We take great pride in offering clothing that has been examined carefully and we are asking that all donations be generally clean, not torn and stain free. Thank you in advance for your contributions. The next meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 12 . All ladies of the congregation are welcome. (And a special Thank You to the ladies for their recent gift to the congregation!)

Our thanks to all who attended the Annual Meeting on January 27! The meeting included financial and other reports, the passing of a budget for 2013 and the election of officers. You will find a list of officers on p. 3 of the newsletter, and a financial update for January 2013 on p. 4. The congregation also took the opportunity to thank Jerry Sanseverino for his service as President, Vice-President and unofficial trustee these past years. Those who know him well will understand the appropriate nature of a box of chocolates. The council meets regularly on the second Sunday of the month following morning worship. You may bring your concerns to any of the council members.

14. Drew and Judith Sanseverino

The Saint Paul Epistle

LENT IS COMING
Wasnt Christmas just a few weeks ago? Yes, but we are well into the Epiphany season, and this means that Lent begins very soon. Our midweek Lenten services begin on Ash Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. Please note the change in time! As is our custom, there will be the imposition of ashes as a sign of repentance and a reminder of our baptisms. In addition to our Ash Wednesday worship, we will gather for five additional midweek services, and for the special observances of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Plan to join us for our evening worship! + + +

CONGRATULATIONS!
to our newly elected officers, at-large council members and elders: President Vice-President Secretary TreasurerFinancial Secretary Council Members Elders: Rita Vadimski Gerry Stapleton Marshelle Sanseverino Lucille Davis Jennifer Byington Gary Babey Marianne Jacobs Don Hagen Angelo Porta Robert Byington Milan Horvath + + +

OUR THANKS!
To those Thrivent members who designated St. Paul for their Choice Dollars in 2012. We have received to date a total of $1,339! Thrivent members are reminded that they must renew their choice(s) for 2013, and that they must confirm their choice(s) throughout the year. Thrivent will no longer accept an on-going selection. An additional reminder that any balances for 2012 must be designated by March 31. Again, thank you!

OUR THANKS!
To all who have given gifts in memory of our recently departed members: Thora Dickey, Pauline Horvath and Frank Jencik. There is not room in the newsletter to list all of the donors by name, but all have been or will be acknowledged in a Sunday bulletin insert.
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The Saint Paul Epistle

Please remember in your prayers... ...our shut-ins: Olga Balla Mary Barry Stella Lysebo Helen Meyer Jeannie Tkacik Teresa Ulicny. ...and others whose needs are on our hearts and minds, including the members of our Armed Forces.

FINANCIAL UPDATE Annual budget for 2013 = $164,298 Budgeted income for each month = $13,691.5 Received in January = $12,928 Shortfall = $763.50 We will update this each month so that every member is fully aware of our financial situation. Dont forget the importance of regular, proportionate and first-fruits giving, our response to all the blessings God has given! Have you remembered the church in your estate planning? We have been blessed by those who have left bequests when God has called them home. + + +

SPRING RUMMAGE SALE The Spring Rummage Sale of our Lutheran Womens Society will be on Saturday, April 6. Donations are currently being accepted.
Worship and Bible class schedule: Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class: Worship: Monday Womens Bible Class Monday Confirmation Class: Confirmation Class: 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.

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