December 2018 January 2019

Preschool Staff Lisa Dove, 3 year old teacher Courtney Eaton, 4 year old teacher Jenni Dixon, helper

Sunday Schedule Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at all Worship Services.

9:00am Worship 10:30am Sunday School for All Ages 11:30am Worship, interpreted for the deaf

Church Staff Rev. Aaron B. Chittick pastorchittick@stpaulcoldwater.com Renee Taden, Church Secretary

churchoffice@stpaulcoldwater.com Laura Oswood, Administrative Assistant lauraoswood@stpaulcoldwater.com Donna Hobday, Treasurer

treasurer@stpaulcoldwater.com

Office Hours Monday thru Friday 8:00am-3:30pm. May be closed 12:00-1:00pm for lunch.

The Connection a monthly newsletter

St. Paul Lutheran Church A Congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Sonshine Kids Preschoo l

95 W. State Street Coldwater , MI 49036

278-8061 www.stpau lcoldwater .com

The three year old class started out the month learning about col-ors. We got to mix them up to see what new colors we made. Then we learned about the Pilgrims and Indians and how they celebrated all they were thankful for with a big meal together. After Thanks-giving, we learned about shapes; there are shapes all around us. It is fun to find them. Wow, what a busy couple of months we've had in the four year old class. We've covered two themes: All About Me and Our Community! The more we learn about ourselves, the more of a community we become. Sharing and caring about one another, treating others as we would want to be treated, and learning about all the things that make up our community...just as God planned. Both the three and four year old classes enjoyed a great trip, as always, to Maple Lawn for our annual Halloween out-ing. The residents and staff helped make our day even brighter. The kids did a great job with their "Five Little Pumpkins" song.

Now that the holidays are upon us, things are only getting busi-er in the class-room. We've been learning about all the things we're thankful for and all the bless-ings that are upon us. Thanks for coming along on this journey with us! ~ Miss Courtney,

Miss Lisa, and Miss Jenni

3 year olds at Maple

Lawn

4 year olds at Maple Lawn

Sonshine Kids Preschool News

4 year olds as Pilgrims 3 year olds as Indians

Greetings in the name of Jesus our Advent King

What Child is This? This question frames our Christmas season this year. Ask-ing this question helps us remember that there was a time when we did not know the answer, and but for the love of someone who cares, we still wouldn’t. Today

there are still those who don’t know what this child is. If someone asked you, what would you answer?

I want to encourage you to come and learn more of the story of God’s love for his children as we go through our advent study of the song “What Child is this?”. There is always good food and friendly conver-sation starting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday nights. We will also be having our usual 2 Services on Christmas Eve. A 7:00 p.m. and a 10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service. Come celebrate the birth of Jesus with your church family.

Come see the children tell the story themselves at our Sunday Service on the 16th at 9:00 a.m. We will only be having one service that morning, and we will gather afterwards in the fellowship hall to enjoy a birthday party for Jesus.

I pray you are safe and warm this holiday season, and that the love of Christ can be seen in all that you do.

Blessings on Your Holidays, Pastor Aaron

The Connect ion Page 2

Wednesdays in Advent: December 5, 12, 19

* 5:30pm Soup Suppers * 6:15pm Worship in the Fellowship Hall

Join us as we learn “What Child Is This?”

Please sign up to bring food for the Soup Suppers. Doors will be unlocked at 5:00pm.

Monday, December 24 Join us to celebrate our Savior’s Birth.

7:00pm Christmas Eve Worship 10:00pm Candlelight Worship

Sunday, December 16 Our kids are excited to share the Christmas story with you.

* 9:00am Worship with Christmas Play * 10:15am Christmas Party

No Sunday School ~ No 11:30 worship

Page 3 The Connect ion

2 Youth Christmas Party 5 Soup Supper & Advent Worship 8 Book Club 11 LWML Christmas Party 12 Soup Supper & Advent Worship 12, 13, 14 Family Promise 16 Children’s Christmas Play 19 Soup Supper & Advent Worship 24 Christmas Eve Worship Candlelight Worship 24-31 Office Closed

1 Office Closed 6 Undecorating 8 LWML Lunch & Meeting 12 Book Club 13 Tobogganing Sub Sale begins 19 LWML Prayer Day 27 Youth Virtual Bowling Sub Sale ends

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Connor Dwyer 2 Keitha Post 6 Tristan Karl 9 Ron Meyer 9 Yvette Schlueter 12 Amey Scherer 14 Cheryl Rosch 15 Judy McCurley 16 Nickole DeNio 17 Sandy Scholfield 21 Jan Dimmick 23 Hunter Powell 25 Carol Heffelfinger 25 Raetta Mirgain 26 Ashley Powell 27 Harriet Jenner 29 Mark Dalchow 29 Dianne Pavka

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 26 Bill & Sharon Chinery 28 Chris & Lisa Mobley

DECEMBER BAPTISMS Kayla Dove Charlie Hemker

1 Laura Oswood 2 Andy Howe 2 Sally Uhrig 6 Jack Post 7 Emmi Elkins 7 Maddie Garn 7 Max Garn 10 Lois Howe 12 Mary Smith 19 Carl Hunker 21 Halle Taner 22 Cheyenne Akers 22 Jessica Akers 22 Sydney Akers 27 Sandy Howe 29 Betty Kurtz

The deadline for the February issue of The Connection is January 21.

Please have all items submitted by 8:30am. Thank you.

Submissions may be made: In writing or email: lauraoswood@stpaulcoldwater.com

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 2 Isabella Scherer 3 Lupe Meyer 7 MaKayla Post 8 Joe Schlueter 8 Debbie Taner 9 Julie Scherer 12 Katie McCurley 13 Kay Kaepp 14 Lorelai Chittick 15 Keith Bollwahn 18 Mindy Garn 18 Laura Smith 19 Fred Jenner 20 Ryan Schlueter 20 Tyler Scherer 21 Bob Malcolm 22 Drew Howe 22 Scarlett Powell 23 Ashley Mobley 24 Bee Hemker 24 Jamie Moore 24 Meagan Lehman 29 Lindsey Vainner

JANUARY BAPTISMS 3 Dianne Pavka 9 Lindsey Vainner 11 Nancy Holbrook 17 Keitha Post 27 Mark Dalchow

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

None

The Church Office will be closed December 24 thru

January 1. Regular office hours will

resume January 2.

Page 4 The Connect ion

Mites collected the first Sunday of the month. Please bring your Mite Boxes or loose change.

All Mites collected go to missions supported by the LWML.

* Pizza * Fun * Games * Free *

Read the book and join us for discussion

December 8 @ 10:00am

Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright After journalist Holly Jensen’s apartment is robbed on Christmas Eve, someone leaves her a jar full of money

labeled “Christmas Jar”. She sets out on a quest to discover the origins of these mysterious jars.

January 12 @ 10:00am

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate A thought provoking tale of two families, two

generations apart, who were part of a notorious real life scandal in which poor children were kidnapped and sold

to wealthy families all over the country.

Book Club

LWML

December 11 @ noon

All women are invited to join us for a party. Meat, dessert, and coffee will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass. We will share a short devotion and then enjoy a gift exchange

game. Please bring a $10 wrapped gift.

January 8 @ noon Dessert and coffee are provided. All women are invited.

• bring your lunch • chat with friends

• eat dessert

• enjoy a Bible study • participate in a short

business meeting

The Angel tags are on the ANGEL TREE. Please have the wrapped presents under the tree by Tuesday, De-

cember 11 with the tag attached. The gifts will be delivered to the Department of Human Resources on the morning of Wednesday the 12th. THANK YOU for your contribution to this project.

Christmas Party and Angel Tree Shopping Sunday, December 2 @ 2pm For all 6-12 graders

See you January 9.

Poinsettia Fundraiser If you ordered poinsettias from the Youth Group, they are here. Please get yours ASAP so they remain beautiful.

$192 was raised from sales, plus $29 donations = $221 for the Youth Group. Thank you for generously supporting the Youth Group and our trip to the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis—July 2019.

January 19 All women are invited to join our Gateway Zone LWML

ladies for Bible study, prayer, and food. More information will be in the bulletin as the day gets closer.

Tobogganing at Pokagon Sunday, January 13 @ 2pm For all 6-12 graders

Virtual Bowling Sunday, January 27 @ 2pm For all 6-12 graders

Sub Sale Begins January 13 The Youth will be taking orders for Sub Sandwiches. More info to come.

The Connect ion Insert A

Used

BOX TOPS for EDUCATION What a nice check SONSHINE KIDS PRESCHOOL will receive in December!!!Because of your clipping of the little coupons the school will get $105.30. Keep on clipping; the next deadline for collecting the BOX TOPS will be mid February. THANK YOU !!!

We will be serving our neighbors by preparing and serving dinner for the homeless

December 12, 13, and 14 at Christ Community Church, 4:45-8:30pm. Please sign up on the bulletin board by December 5. Talk to Alice Conrad if you have questions.

Christmas Un-Decorating Sunday, January 6 @ 10:30

We will begin taking down the Christmas decorations, starting with the Narthex and

Fellowship Hall. When 2nd service is finished, we will move into the Sanctuary.

Please join us as many hands make light work.

SMALL GROUPS: HEALING THROUGH LAUGHTER

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). If there's no laughter, people are missing out on great medicine. Maybe what hurting people need isn't more medicine, but a healthy small group. They need to laugh together so hard that they snort. They need to laugh at themselves. They need to laugh at a corny joke. Because God has wired us to receive heal-ing through laughter. I'm not sure how it works, but after a diffi-cult day at work—with the kids, with finances, with in-laws—laughing helps to melt away stress and anxiety, bringing healing to your aching bones.

Note: This article is excerpted from the SmallGroups.com training resource Making Small Groups Fun!.

Interested in joining a Small Group? Talk to Jason Moore, Pastor Aaron, or the office today.

Joe Schlueter has a new address: 182 Castle Pine Drive Quincy, MI 49082 517-617-1172

Eloise “Elli” Adams was baptized on November 25. Elli is the granddaughter of Harold Mobley. Welcome to God’s Family!

Graham & Breanna (Brown) Downs celebrated their marriage on November 10 at St. Paul. Congratulations!

Steve & Laura Oswood have a new address: 158 E Pearl St. Coldwater, MI 49036 effective December 29

When we have fun together, we show others that we serve a good God.

The Connect ion Page 6

Are you a Snowbird? Flying the coop for a month

or two? If you are leaving for an

extended period of time, please inform the office. We worry

when we don’t see our family members. Safe travels!

Cookies! The 2019 Cookie Schedule

is out. Please sign up to bring cookies Sunday

mornings to have with our coffee and punch.

Remember, you can also recruit a friend or two to help. The 2019 sign up sheet is

under the 2018 sheet, on the shelf by the cookies.

The 2019 sign up is posted on the bulletin board Please consider sponsoring flowers on the altar for a special event

in your life or the lives of your loved ones.

All you have to do is sign up on the bulletin board by Renee’s office. A few weeks before your chosen date, a bright pink paper will appear in your mailbox. Just fill it out with how

you want the dedication to be printed and return it to the office by noon on the Wednesday before your date. That’s it!

You don’t have to pay anything. Just enjoy seeing the flowers on the altar and celebrate a special day!

If you would like to make a donation to the Flower Fund, which is used to refurbish our

silk flowers, please mark your donation and put it

in the offering plate.

2018 Member Giving Statements Because of the 2018 change to the standard income tax deductions, the Treasurer is wondering how many of you will need your statements this year. To save on copy costs, IF you would like your statement printed contact Donna Hobday, Barb Tunison, or the church office. Donna Hobday, Treasurer email treasurer@stpaulcoldwater.com call or text 517.617.8506 Barb Tunison, Deputy Treasurer email barbtunison@yahoo.com call or text 419.304.7449 Church Office email churchoffice@stpaulcoldwater.com call 278.8061

The Meeting Room The bright yellow room next door to Renee’s office is The Meeting Room. On the right hand side is a

huge bulletin board that we call the Council Bulletin Board. Find out what teams are responsible for all of our events and activities. You can find out who your Elder is by checking the lists. There is also a

huge calendar for the year that shows major events. On the left hand side are mailboxes

for each team and a number of forms.:

• Beautification Suggestion Forms, • Building Use Forms, • Work Orders, • Sign Requests, and • Memorial Brick Order Forms.

You can reserve this room or any room in

the building for your group to use by filling out a Building Use Form. Anyone organizing

an activity, meeting, Bible Study, etc. at the church should fill out a Building Use

Form and return it to the office.