A Season of Shining

On this day, the church celebrates the festival of Epiphany! Maybe some of you are saying to yourselves, "That's cool! What is apifanee?" The word epiphany comes from the greek which means, "the manifesting", "the appearing," or "the shining." What was appearing? The Savior! What was manifesting? The God-Man! What was shining? The light of the world! The festival of Epiphany celebrates those first representatives of all nations who came to see Jesus, the wise men from afar. They followed the star that appeared in the sky and led them to the feet of the newborn king, Jesus. 

But the festival of Epiphany is just the beginning. For the next eight weeks, we will be in the season of Epiphany. During these weeks, we will see Jesus revealing his true identity, manifesting his power, and shining to more and more people as their Savior.

This season teaches a wonderful and beautiful truth: Jesus came to be the world's Savior. He came to die for the sins of all nations. This appearing, manifesting, and shining is still happening today. Whenever someone learns who Jesus is, that he came to die for them, the Spirit has again revealed Jesus. God has called us like the shepherds, like the wise men, like his disciples, to continue this season of shining to those around us. Shine the light of Christ to all who are in darkness!
 

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
Isaiah 60:1-3

New Bible Study: The Word Endures

In 1530 the Reformation of the Christian church was in full swing. Martin Luther’s popularity had pushed his writings to the top of the best-seller list. What if you had a chance to hear him speak? What if you could sit at the feet of this scholar of Scripture who taught crowds of not just princes but also peasants? Well, you can. In our current Bible study, Lessons from Luther Yesterday and Today, you will engage with this master teacher in the study of topics such as prayer, marriage, the Lord’s Supper, and teaching children—topics still at the heart of your Christian faith today.

Join us at the feet of Luther on Sundays at 10:15am (Shortly after worship)!

Are You Ready For Christmas?

It seems that Christmas comes faster and faster every year! Have you been able to get everything done that you were hoping to fit in this year before the big day? Is your shopping done? Are all the gifts wrapped under the tree? Have you finished all of your projects that you promised yourself you would have done before the end of the year? Chances are.... no, there is still so much that you have to do! I pray God gives you strength to get done everything on your list!

However, I pray all the more that all of these "other" things don't make you too busy to remember the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place! For all the time we take to get presents, finish projects, and send updates and messages to family and friends, have you planned enough time to join the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men to gather around God's gift to you? 

Christmas is not all about our gifts and our efforts... sometimes it gets hard to remember that. Christmas IS all about God's wonderful gift to us, "wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Christmas is about peace with God that comes to us through the babe born in Bethlehem. Christmas is about God's faithfulness to always fulfill his promises. Christmas is about how much time and sacrifice God gave for us to be his washed, redeemed, and holy children for all eternity. Christmas is about Christ. Let us not forget the gift God has given us.

Take time this Christmas to think about what Christ means for you. Take time to celebrate the birthday of your Savior. Take time to give thanks for his love that dwelt among us and now dwells in you.

Join us on Christmas Eve at 6:30pm to hear our children share what happened on that first Christmas.

Join us also on Christmas Day at 9:00am as we ponder the amazing person of Christ, fully God and fully man, our perfect Savior. 

May God bless you and yours this Christmas season,

Pastor Titus Buelow

Christmas Caroling - Dec. 10!

Join us for caroling at three nursing homes in Clintonville this Saturday! We will be visiting Kindred Hearts, Aster, and Care Partners from 1-3pm. All singers are welcome to join us! Help us share the joy of a Savior being born for all through song. We will meet at St. Paul shortly before at 12:45pm or meet us at Kindred at 1pm. 

Midweek Advent Services - Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” - Micah 5:2

Join us for the next three Wednesdays at 6:30pm for our Midweek Advent Services, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 14. These services are a great opportunity to prepare your heart for the Messiah's first coming and his coming again. 

This year, our midweek services will be focused on how Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Messiah (the Anointed/Chosen One) by being our perfect prophet, priest and king. Why is that so important and what difference does it make for you? It makes all the difference in the world. Come find out why this Wednesday.

Upcoming Nov/Dec Events at St. Paul!

We are one week away from Thanksgiving and the beginning of a new church year! This time of year is full of chances, not only to get together with family and eat delicious food and goodies, but also to give thanks to our God and to prepare our hearts to celebrate God coming to our world. Join us for these special services to focus on our gracious God and our wonderful Savior! Join us for these special events to sing, to craft, and to give the greatest gift of all, peace in Jesus!

• Wednesday, Nov. 23 - Thanksgiving Eve Service @ 6:30pm
• Wednesdays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 - Midweek Advent Services @ 6:30pm
• Saturday, Dec. 3 - Christmas for Kids @ 2-5pm (Kids age 7-14)
• Sunday, Dec. 4 - Christmas Hymn Sing @ 4pm (followed by Christmas goodies and fellowship)
• Saturday, Dec. 10 - Christmas Caroling @ 1-3pm (Meet at St. Paul, visit local nursing homes)
• Saturday, Dec. 24 - Children's Christmas Eve Service @ 6:30pm
• Saturday, Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Candlelight Service @ 6:30pm

Of course, we will have our regular Sunday services throughout the season at 9am and Bible Study and Sunday School at 10:15am. We hope to celebrate our Savior with you!

Mission Festival - This Sunday, Nov. 13th

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate our great mission from Christ: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

While every Sunday is a part of this mission, we dedicate our service, Bible study, and fellowship meal to learning more about this mission being fulfilled specifically through Jesus Cares Ministries.

Jesus Cares Ministries assists congregations in reaching out to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and their communities.  For our worship on November 13 Pastor Joel Gaertner, the National Director of Jesus Cares Ministries will be leading us in the Jesus Cares simplified service Worship at the Cross.  He will also be giving a presentation during the Sunday morning Bible Class with more detailed information on Jesus Cares and the wider ministry of The Lutheran Home Association.  All of this is intended to help our congregation better understand Jesus Cares and the opportunity to reach out to people with special needs in our area.

Book Club is Back! - Oct. 19th @ 6:30pm

Next Wednesday, Oct. 19th, at 6:30pm we will be starting a new study on the book, "Forgive Us Our Sins." For more information, study guides, and where to get a copy of the book, click below. All are welcome! Come and discuss!

Reformation Hymn Sing - Pie & Ice Cream Social - Oct.26

Join us here at St. Paul for another hymn sing on October 26th at 6:30pm! We will sing many familiar hymns and eat delicious pie with ice cream afterwards. Everything is complimentary. All are welcome! 

With the Reformation being celebrated right around the corner, on October 31st, our hymns will primarily be selected from authors who championed this amazing movement. The reformation was all about returning to the one source of truth, the Word of God, and the one source of comfort preached in its pages, Jesus Christ. Through faith in him alone because of God's grace alone, all people can find forgiveness, hope, and new life that lasts forever and ever. 

Sunday School Kick Off Party & Potluck - Sept. 11

From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17

With the start of a new school year right around the corner, we look forward to a new year of Sunday School right after worship at 10:15am every Sunday!

We learn many good things from our school curriculum, however, we don't learn about the most important things such as God, who we are, why we matter, where we truly come from, God's love for us and his plan to save us, and our mission as his messengers!

All of this and more begins on September 11th when we will kick off our new year with games, food, and some teasers of things to come. We hope everyone can join us for worship at 9am and for our party and potluck at 10:15am! Encourage our young ones and be encouraged by the Word of God that makes each of us "wise unto salvation."