Hymn Sing November 12th

Join us for an evening of music as we sing God’s praise and proclaim the glories He has done. Thursday, November 12th starting at 6:30pm St. Paul Clintonville will host a hymn sing in person and streamed online. This is a great opportunity to sing and to listen to some great hymns, but it is also a chance to open the conversation about the new hymnal project.

For several years, our synod has been working on an updated library of worship resources (including a new hymnal). The new hymnal and resources will be available within a year (in time for Advent 2021). Our hymn sing will feature music from the new hymnal. We will also watch an introduction from members of the committee that oversaw this project. Hear what has been done, why it was done, and the impact it could have on our ministry here in Clintonville.

Download the booklet for the event here…

Hymn Sing Booklet

Find out more about the WELS Hymnal project at the links below…

Hymnal Project Website

New Hymnal Preview

Hymn Sing Video

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Psalms for the Season of End Times

It feels more and more like we are living in the End Times, doesn’t it? Pandemics rage, political leaders rant, fights and violence erupts almost every day, and God’s Word is disregarded and set on the shelf by many. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be overwhelmed. Jesus is coming. Jesus is here.

During the season of End Times, which begins this coming Sunday, we will gather together in worship to reflect on the appointed Psalms for each week. We are acutely aware that the end of time is always getting nearer, so we will direct our eyes to God’s Word to be prepared and even excited for those last days.

On Reformation Sunday (this coming Sunday!), we will remember the importance of being firmly rooted in Scripture. God and his Word are our refuge and strength, a mighty fortress against the forces of evil.

On Last Judgement Sunday, we will read a Psalm actually written by Moses, reminding us that on our own we are dust. Our days are like dandelion puffs blowing away in the wind. In light of that, we’ll be encouraged to “number our days aright,” all while knowing that, in Christ, we are fully prepared for the final judgement.

Saints Triumphant Sunday draws us to the house of the Lord. Our worship together in church here on earth is just a small taste of eternal joy waiting for us in heaven.

This season concludes with Christ the King Sunday. Psalm 47 is a coronation song for a King. We sing and shout for joy that Christ is our king. With all the frustration and fear that often surrounds politics, what peace we have knowing that the king of the universe is still in control!

Join us in person or live online on our facebook or youtube page beginning this Sunday for our series:

Psalms for the Season of End Times:

November 1 – Reformation – Psalm 46

November 8 – Last Judgement - Psalm 90

November 15 – Saints Triumphant – Psalm 84

November 22 – Christ the King - Psalm 47

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble! Let us not forget that.

God bless and keep you.

- Pastor Titus Buelow

Don't You Care If We Drown?

Do you feel like your drowning? With all of the political turmoil, the surge of recent cases and hospitalizations due to Covid-19, the cancelled events, the virtual school announcements, the wait for a vaccine that never seems closer, the stress, the anxiety, the uncertainty, unemployment, fear of sickness or symptoms, racial tension, lack of respect for law-enforcement, such frustration by all, and I could go on and on! It really feels like a perfect storm right about now, doesn't it? With all of those things constantly crashing against our minds and our hearts, it is getting hard to breathe. I feel it. I know you feel it too. 

It can compel us to cry out to God with almost an accusatory tone: "Lord, don't you care if we drown? Are you sleeping, God? Are you unaware of everything that is happening? If you are aware, why are you not doing anything? Can't you see this is it!"

Jesus' disciples said the same thing to Jesus once. "Teacher, don't you care if we drown???" They had just woken Jesus up and in fear cried to him these words. They were in the middle of the sea of Galilee, stranded because of a furious storm that had risen up. The waves were breaking over the boat so much so that there was almost enough water in the boat to sink it. "This is it!" They thought. "We are going to die. The storm is too big. The waves are too constant. And our teacher doesn't even care! Look, he is sleeping!" 

How Jesus slept through that storm is miraculous in itself to us! However, what appeared to be indifference to the disciples was anything but that. Jesus was calm because he trusted his Father. He knew that this would not end in their death. Everything was just fine. 

He shows them their foolish fear by getting up and speaking directly to the wind and the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" And just like that the wind died down and it was calm. Can you imagine the stillness and the quietness that filled the air after Jesus did that? Can you imagine the faces of the disciples, wet and barely visible, and yet clearly in shock and disbelief! 

Then Jesus says some very powerful and sharp words to them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

I think we need to hear those words from Jesus right now to remind us who it is we follow, who it is we worship, and who it is we trust for exactly times like this. "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Our God is not sleeping during all of this because he doesn't care. Our God is not unaware of everything going on. He doesn't just like to watch us squirm and struggle. No, Jesus is with us and he cares for us just as much as he always has, just as much as he cared for his disciples that day. We may not know why he is allowing this crazy storm to swirl and beat against our minds and our hearts right now, just like the disciples couldn't understand why Jesus was sleeping through their storm, but that doesn't change the fact that God knows. He knows the end of the storm and He has the power to end it in an instant. All of a sudden he will say, "Quiet! Be still!" And just like that, it will be calm once more. Jesus has power to stop every storm. Even as he felt the first and second death striking his heel, Jesus spoke confident and freeing words of power when he said, "It is finished." The storm of sin and death had to heed his call and give up its victims forevermore. 

With that Jesus on our side and in the boat with us, why are we so afraid? Why do we still have so little faith?

Jesus will deliver us through this in his time and in the way he knows best. So we know that everything will be ok. We have no reason to be afraid. We can have faith and rejoice, yes, even now, because Jesus is with us. When all of these blistering winds and waves keep hitting, let us look at the calm face of Jesus and remember him as the one who says to us, "Do not be afraid, it is I." 

Yes, Lord, you, the mighty king of heaven and earth, are with us. We do not need to fear!

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41

May God bless and keep you all today!

Some Announcements and Prayers

First, let us pray for our president and first lady, that they may make a speedy recovery from this virus that has even reached our highest leader. Let us also pray for all who are fighting off this infection at this time. Lord, be with all of them and strengthen their body, and God-willing, also their souls during this difficult time.

Second, let us pray for our nation. Lord, please give our nation a spirit of unity and peace during this divisive time. Help us dwell on those things that unite all of us and respectfully address those things that divide us. Give wisdom to us, your children, of how to navigate these hard times and to give the best witness possible to your Son Jesus. 

Third, please stay focused on Jesus during this time by joining us for worship on Sunday either in-person or online! You need his words of calm and power more now than ever. If you are not able to join us in person at 9am, please make use of our livestream service on our YouTube or Facebook pages (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFrso0m0pKyVwuUBfGEF21g or https://www.facebook.com/stpaulclintonville). You can watch them live or at a later time. The bulletin is uploaded and posted here: http://www.stpaulclintonville.com/video. We will also continue our Sunday School and Bible Study classes in person after the service tomorrow. If you would like the study or the lesson to use at home, please email me and I will send you a copy!

Fourth, this week we will be starting our class about what we believe and how that shapes the way we worship called, "In the House of the Lord." This will be on Wednesdays for the next two months at 6:30pm. You can attend this class in person or online. Please register online at our website or let pastor know if you plan to attend so that he can prepare materials for you and make sure you are all set to take the class. This is a great class for members to learn more, for our guests to learn what we teach and believe, and for everyone to have questions asked and answered. Consider joining us in person or online this coming Wednesday! http://www.stpaulclintonville.com/in-the-house-of-the-lord 

That is all for now. God bless and keep you all in Christ Jesus.

In His service,

Pastor Titus Buelow

Church Family Event Wednesday at Hayman Falls

Join us Wednesday, September 2nd as we meet at Hayman Falls. Starting at around 5:30pm there will be sub slices provided by the church (individually cut and wrapped before hand). As a group we will have a devotion and then enjoy the park. For those who want to, there will be a scavenger hunt.

Hayman Falls County Park is just west of Pella. The park has several trails along the river and has some nifty rock formations in the river. Stand on the boulders in the river and breathe in the fresh air! It may be rocky, but there is a small beach section where you can go in the water by the falls. The park has several shelters, a large grassy area, a playground, and bathrooms with indoor plumbing.

Here is the address for Hayman Falls: Hayman Falls County Park, N4386 Hayman Falls Ln, Marion, WI 54950

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Shirt Design Voting

This year the church is ordering some shirts and we need YOUR help to choose designs! You can vote either at church (look for the sheet by the mailboxes) or online. You can let us know your top 2 choices for regular shirts and your top pick for a design for an active wear/athletic shirt. Voting closes at the end of the month.

Click here to see the designs and to vote… http://www.stpaulclintonville.com/shirts

Once designs are chosen we will need to finalize the designs. As that is happening we will also start creating an order. The goal is to make the regular shirts available to those willing to wear them. To offset the cost we will ask that those who are willing and able to would pay for their shirts. This will enable us to order more shirts and have some available for visitors and to have a stockpile for future members. Cost details will be given once we have the design finalized. The more we order, the less each individual shirt will cost. The active wear shirts will cost more. While we will order extra of these, we won’t order too many extra.

Church Family Night: Thursday 8/20

Join us Thursday, August 20th for a church family night. The event will be outside at church. Starting around 6pm we will serve brats, hot dogs, and some snacks. Later Pastor will lead us in some campfire songs. Finally, we’ll get out the water balloons for the kids (and adults)!!!

Please bring a lawn chair for yourself and probably a towel if you are excited for the water balloons.

Our church family events are a great way for members to get to know each other better… but we also love having guests come too! You are welcome to join us! We are especially looking forward to having some of the Soccer Camp and VBS alum come (yeah, that was only last week but we still miss you all).

Are you excited for Soccer Camp & VBS Week?

Can you feel the excitement? I can. Can you tell?!

As I look at the amazing shirts we have for our soccer camp this year, I can’t help but look forward to all the kids and coaches running around in hot coral and electric blue. As I review all the details, the drills, the crafts, the food, & the music, I look forward to the fun we will have together. As I dwell on this past year and all the challenges and fears it has created, I feel the urgency to run and fall at the feet of Jesus with you all and there find peace.

That is by far the biggest reason I am excited. I need to remember that fear is a liar. I need to hear Jesus tell me, “Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid!” And I know that I am not the only one. I know that all of you need to hear that too. And I want to help you remember with me that fear doesn’t stand a chance to the truth of who our God is. He is all powerful. He is all knowing. He is good. He is loving. He is our Savior. Fear is none of those things! Fear doesn’t stand a chance when we have God on our side.

I hope you can feel my excitement. I hope you are excited too. Let’s play soccer. Let’s learn about teamwork, exercise, and sportsmanship. Let’s create awesome crafts and sing deep spiritual (and silly) songs. Let’s play capture the flag and eagle’s nest. But most of all, let’s tell fear to get lost, because fear is a liar. And let us listen to the voice of our Savior who says, “Do not be afraid,” and face every storm with confidence in His name.

The fun begins Monday at 9am. God bless and keep you safe until I see you then, God-willing!

Pastor Titus Buelow

Breathe Friends. Rest in Jesus.

First of all, how are you doing? Has anyone asked you that recently? There is so much stress over the ever changing atmosphere of our nation because of Covid-19, how to respond to it, racism, vandalism, anti-police movements, reactions to movements, politics, and everyone's opinion that I wonder... have you taken a deep breath recently? 

This past Sunday our Scripture readings reminded us to take a deep breath by resting in God's Word and in the arms of our Savior. 

Is there a lot going on right now? Sure. Are there a lot of things that are upsetting? Yes. Is there more uncertainty than many of us are used to? Yep. But has God's Word gone anywhere? Thankfully, no! Is it any less true? No! Does it apply any less during a stressful time vs. an easy going time? No! If anything it applies even more! And does Jesus get less capable of carrying your burdens because you are struggling more and more to carry them? Absolutely not. He urges us, more, he commands us to cast ALL our anxiety on Him because he cares for us!

Especially when we are stressed, the world is upside down and people are crazy, there is nothing better to do than to rest in Christ. He gives us rest from our sin and guilt, our worry and fear, our controlling and micromanaging. He tells us to breathe... and to take on the easy yoke of wearing his righteousness, reading of what he has done and what the Father has promised, and telling others of how awesome it is to rest in Jesus Christ.

Breathe friends. Rest in Jesus.

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Him & Her Worship Concert - July 28 @ 7pm

Him + Her Worship is a Christian worship duo who will be sharing their faith and talents with us later this month! Based out of Minneapolis MN, husband and wife Seth and Jenna Herlich now live on the road full-time, towing their instruments and 13 foot camper around the country. With a passion for adventure and a calling to create, the duo leads narrative-driven worship nights, bringing their powerful, passionate harmonies and a timeless message of Christ’s love and hope to receptive congregations and audiences in dozens of US cities.

Him + Her Worship blends Christian contemporary energy, honest singer-songwriter lyricism, cinematic textures, and indie experimentation into an exceptional and cohesive worship music experience. 

Please come to 35 N. Park St. on July 28, at 7pm to be encouraged, refreshed, and to have fun! Bring a friend or family member and come sing and worship with them!

Check out our story and our music:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/himandherworship

Instagram: @himandherworship

Website: www.himandherworship.com

Youtube: Him + Her Worship

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

This week, as we approach our Independence Day as a nation, I think back to these words from our Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

What a beautifully written sentence that finds its source of power in the Creator himself. This is the backbone to what gives each person value in our country, that everyone was created. They were not an accident. They were designed. Therefore, each person has intrinsic value, people of every race, tribe, past and heritage. As Christians, we would add that each person has even more value for not only have they been created, but they have also been justified by Jesus. Jesus died for everyone which means every person was bought at a hefty price. And because Jesus died for their sins, every single person can have the right to eternal life, if they only believe in Jesus as their Savior. 

As a nation, we were founded on this idea of individual value being a reason we would attempt in every way to secure certain unalienable rights to all people. As Christians, we also want to give all people the right to be in heaven by helping them see the Savior who has opened an eternal life, liberty and happiness to all who believe. 

In our nation today, many have forgotten or chosen to throw off that backbone of value that all people derive from a Creator and a Savior. To so many, humans are just a by-product of chance and circumstance. Their value is not intrinsic or equal for we are not made, we are naturally selected or self-made heroes. It is no wonder that we are seeing such unrest, inequality, hate, racism, division, poor priorities, and a lack of value placed on the Word of God and worship in general. Our backbone as to why we are a nation and why we have rights in the first place has disappeared. 

So as we approach the weekend of our Independence Day, let us begin by praying a lot. There is much to ask God for. Let us pray that our nation repents of its rejection of God and a need for his presence in its existence. Let us pray that during such crazy times people search and find the backbone of meaning and value in the one who gives it, our Creator. Let us pray that as evil seems to be growing, may more and more find Jesus, who heals the sick, comforts the weary, and forgives sins. Let us also pray for God to give us the courage and strength to stand firm in God's Word and to share boldly the rights we have as children of God. Those do not come from ourselves but from our Creator and our Savior! This time of unrest and uncertainty may be one of the greatest opportunities of our lifetime to shine brightly in this dark world. Let us not let it pass us by!

May you have a blessed rest of your week and an amazing weekend celebrating our Independence Day, the birthday of our great nation. May this week and weekend also be another chance for you to find value, truth, and pride in your God.

In His service,

Pastor Buelow