Craft Classes for the Holiday Bazaar continues. Classes will be held on September 9 and 23 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
ONLY 4 MORE CRAFT DAYS BEFORE HOLIDAY BAZAAR!!

The annual Holiday Bazaar and Turkey Dinner, sponsored by the UMW, will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 4 & 5. Your hand-crafted items are needed to help make this another successful Bazaar. Have you started your crafts yet? Home gardeners, remember to make an extra jar or two of jelly, relish, pickles, etc. for the Country Store.

It’s time to start searching out those treasures for the Trash and Treasures room at the Holiday Bazaar. Jewelry, small antiques, dishes, glassware, plants, books, craft items, pictures, toys, etc. are great items for the sale. No clothing, please.

A deposit of $25 per person is due by October 3, 2010 with the remaining balance of $30 per person due by October 27th. There is a sign up sheet on bulletin board #2 at the church. You can either turn your money in to the church office or contact Sandy Hahn.

The funds collected will allow The United Methodist Church to partner with existing native ministries and create programs on behalf of Native Americans. Your gifts also provides scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist schools of theology and other schools approved by the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education.

Envelopes for your gifts can be found in the pew racks at the church. Please mark “September Mission” or “Native American Ministries” on the envelope

Then…

We will be starting another 52-week curriculum based on the Fruit of the
Spirit. These lessons pull out the scripture and pinpoint the people who are living
a life of God. We want to do that too…this curriculum will hopefully help us see
how God wants us to live and help us realize the way to do it.

We also have another reason to celebrate; Mason Stewart, Alex Johnson, Delaney
Koi, and Parker Harrington were all promoted to third graders and given a Bible with
which to really start their own Bible studies. We are here for them at 10:00 to help them
understand how to use this gift as well as its importance. We welcome them to this new
chapter of their spiritual lives. We also send congrats to those moving into SWAT-dom and
the 4/5 Bible Study. These exciting groups have added a few more members in Mary
Bolyard, Kurt Danielson, Jack and Riley Gallagher, Andrew Helton, Kaleb Pottorff, and
Maeve Randall. As always however, with celebration comes sadness, we lost Mason
Danielson, Carter and Sam Gallagher, Katie Jones, and Michael Stewart to 6th grade!! They
will all be missed and we wish them the best in their new studies. As always our church
family is welcome to peek in or join us any Sunday in rooms K and L at 8:45, 10:00, and
11:00…and I wouldn’t turn away any more volunteers either!

Shari Miller, Children’s Ministries Coordinator

The Leisure Timers meet the third Monday of each month. Ken and Charlotte Brashaber are the coordinators of this group. Open to the community — invite your friends and neighbors.

We are “buzzing” with excitement about our new classes! Join us and take the “sting” out of exercise. A six-week session will begin September 7th. Classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00—11:00 AM in Brashaber Hall.

Classes are led by Bob Lowers, physical therapist and Head Coach for Edgewood Girls’ Track and Field. Bob will focus on: Stretching: an important part of flexibility and an excellent way to relax and relieve tension.

Balance exercises can reduce the risk of falls and helps integrate sensory information.

Strength training can help with osteoporosis, arthritis, balance, pulmonary diseases and back problems.

Exercise can help reduce joint pain, help control blood sugar and enhance your quality of life. Call the church office (332-4191) to register. A $2.00 per class donation is suggested; however, your first class is free!

Open to everyone—not just for seniors!

Games will be played on September 2nd (7:30); September 25 (7:00); October 2
(TBA); October 16 (12:00), October 30 (TBA); and November 6 (TBA).

Please check the bulletin board at the church for additional game times and to sign
up for a date you can help out. Contact Ian or Laura Hall for additional information

The program is still in need of a few more volunteers to serve as coaches, referees, concession stand workers, and prayer partners. Coaches would be responsible for practice one night, one hour a week, plus game day. Concession stand workers are asked to volunteer one or more game days. Call the church office for additional information.

You don’t want to miss this event: last year 80,000-100,000 donated books was
offered and media items at low, low prices to over 6,000 enthusiastic patrons! Funds
raised support the Red Cross humanitarian mission in Monroe and Owen Counties.
Individuals as well as groups of any size can be accommodated, and volunteer
activities are fun and diverse. Visit our website at www.monroe-redcross.org, call us at
812-332-7292 (ask for June or Lauren) or email us at jtaylor@monroe-redcross.org or
laurenjohnson@monroe-redcross.org. Thank you!

The 27th Annual Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross BOOK
FAIR will be held from September 30th through October 5th, 2010 at the Monroe
County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, Indiana. One of the largest charity bookselling
events in the Midwest, they offer 80,000-100,000 donated books, LPs, CDs, DVDs,
magazines, puzzles and much more at wonderful prices. All proceeds benefit the
humanitarian mission of the Red Cross right here at home.

Book lovers of all ages come on opening day when they can get the best
selection. Admission is $10, and doors open at noon on Thursday, Sept. 30th. After
Thursday, admission is free from Friday through Tuesday. This year, also offered are
two days (October 1st and 2nd) of “Book Bucks” coupons. Book Fair patrons who
donate non-perishable food items for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank will receive a “Book
Buck” good for $1 off merchandise on those days.

A new “Military Family Appreciation Day” will be Sunday, Oct. 3rd. Military
families can show their ID and receive free “goodie bags” for their kids. Please visit the
website at www.monroe-redcross.org for complete details; look for “Book Fair
countdown” on the homepage!

Sponsored by the Crisis Pregnancy Center/Hannah House, you are invited to
participate in this major fund raiser. At this most challenging time in a woman’s life,
the Crisis Pregnancy Center provides testing and counseling. The Hannah House
provides shelter, support and care. All programs and services are free-of-charge and are
offered with Christ-like love and compassion.

You may register online at www.cpcbloomington.org, and also find out the
necessary information regarding collecting sponsor’s pledge money, form of payment,
and other questions you might have. You may also call the CPC at 334-0104 to register
or for additional information.

I think most of us know what a mission statement is. Basically, the mission statement
should represent the purpose of existence for that business, organization, church, etc… Second,
yes, churches do have mission statements. Third, yes, St. Paul has a mission statement. Last,
our mission statement is, “Helping Connect People to God”

I think all organizations have some type of mission statement. See if any of these sound
familiar to you: Lowe’s Home Improvements, ”Let’s build something together.” Mary Kay, “To
give unlimited opportunity to women.” Wal-Mart, “Wal-Mart’s mission is to help people save
money so they can live better.” Walt Disney, “To make people happy.” One of my favorite
mission statements comes from Starbucks, “To inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person,
one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.” Who knew coffee could do so much?
The mission of the church is very simple, “To make disciples of Jesus Christ.” Jesus
said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations….” (Matthew 28:19). Most churches have
mission statements that are built on the foundation that Jesus was talking about. We are called to
make disciples as followers of Jesus Christ.
As a result of sin, humanity is broken and dis-connected from God. Jesus came into the
world that we might come to God through Him. Disciples are made when they “connect” with
God through Jesus Christ. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, connect means, “to
become joined.” I like that definition. As a church, our mission is to help connect people…”to
become joined” to God.

There are many opportunities for church members, visitors, and groups to “connect” with
God through are various ministries. Some of those opportunities are: weekly worship services,
youth group, S.W.A.T. youth group, Sunday school classes, FPU classes, Head Start, singing in
the choir or band, going on an Emmaus Walk, teaching a class, participating in Upward soccer,
serving in Upward soccer, serving on our various committees, being involved with our mission
team, giving of our resources to help fund our ministry budget and second mile mission giving,
boy scout groups, TOPS, Narcotics Anonymous, St. Vincent’s Bariatric Support Group, home
extension clubs, UMW, UMM, Leisure Timers, Highland Village Neighborhood Association,
working and fellowshipping together at IU concession stands, BEES, hosting 5-K runs, and….
the list could keep going!

Our church is alive and does so many things. I don’t think we really stop and think about
all the “doors” that are opened through our church that give people an opportunity to be in this
building, to be in relationship with others, to serve God and others, AND to “connect” with God.
We should celebrate who we are, what we’ve done and look forward to the future. There is
much work to do for God’s Kingdom and we know what our mission is….

”Helping Connect People to God!”

Frank

Missed a Sermon

Fall semester will soon be under way. Many of you will be leaving our lovely B-town, while others will be attending college close to home. Either way, your St. Paul Family would love to stay connected with you throughout the school year. If you are an undergraduate student who would like to receive prayer, notes of encouragement, and some awesome goodies throughout the school year, please contact Angie Landgrebe (angie_landgrebe@hotmail.com) or 812-360-9586.

St. Paul Family

I am looking for interested Sunday School classes, families, or individuals who would be interested in “sponsoring” an undergraduate college student this school year. Though all the details have not been worked out yet, the vision is for each group or individual to send their student a care package during finals week and a card/e-mail message of encouragement at least once a month. If you are interested in hearing more about this ministry, please contact Angie Landgrebe at angie_landgrebe @hotmail.com

After our exciting 6-week DVD series, we will be starting another year-long curriculum focused on the Fruit of the Spirit. The Bible lessons and activities will help us know what God expects of us and how to meet the challenge of truly living God’s way. I think all of us will benefit from this relevant program.

Our Bible studies at 10:00 continue to thrive. We will keep learning how to use our Bibles to aid in our quest to know and feel connected to God as well as learning about people, places, and events that helped shape our faith today. All children ages 5 through 5th grade are welcome to jump in at any time. Children ages 5-3rd grade meet in Adventure Island (room K), while children in 4th and 5th grades meet in the SWAT room (L).

We will certainly be busy as school starts again (can you believe it?), we dive into two new programs, and fall approaches. Look for information coming in the next few months about Christmas programs and events. Until then; stay cool!

Shari Miller

Director of Children’s Ministries

The group will tour the new Cook Hall basketball facility and Memorial Stadium football addition. (If practice is taking place, some areas will not be available.)

Lunch will be at the Scenic Restaurant near Lake Munroe. Cost is lunch, plus $3/ person for gas money.

Sign up on bulletin board #2 at the church if you would like to be a part of this outing.

The Recipients of the scholarship will be determined based on academic
performance, financial need and community involvement. “KSSF hopes that this fund will
have the greatest impact on the community by expanding educational opportunities for
needy students and for that reason challenge the beneficiaries to give back to their schools
and communities so that other needy students can attain same dreams,” said Dr. Maiko.
Students must maintain a “C+” average or better, be a needy student and willing to pay back
to his/her school or community at least 20% of the scholarship to secure and retain the
scholarships.

The Mission for Kenya Simba Scholars Fund is to raise and provide Scholarships to
needy Kenyan students from Primary school to University level. KSSF, a Non-Profit
Organization under St. Joseph Ministries is an Equal Opportunity Organization that never
discriminates on the basis of Race, Tribal origin, color, Sex, marital status or Religion.

You may use the envelopes found in the pew racks at the church for your gifts.
Please mark ‘Simba Scholars,’ or ‘August Mission’ on the envelope

An assortment of crafts are being prepared for the Holiday Bazaar. Something for everyone to do. Please bring a brown bag lunch on the 12th. The ladies will lunch together at a local restaurant on August 26th. All ladies are invited to join the fun and fellowship.

Evaluations will be on Aug. 19th & 24th between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.  There will be a Soccer Clinic with the IU Women’s Soccer Coach and Players on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25TH @ 6:00 (The brochures have the 26th listed, which is incorrect)

Practices begin the week of August the 29th and the first games are scheduled for Sept. 11th.

You may register on-line at www.stpaulupward.com

As we celebrate our 5th year of Upward Soccer we are offering a special sign-up of $55 for the first 55 players to register.  This offer is only good for online registrations.

Regular registrations can be picked up at the church office between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

I believe asking for help is a sign of maturity because we finally get it. The “bulb” has officially come on…we know we can’t figure out all of life’s problems by ourselves. Help is a good thing. This following article really hit home with me when I read it. I hope it has the same effect on you.

“I was parked in front of the mall, wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes and no money.

There are times when you feel generous, and then there are other times when you just don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered” times. “I hope he doesn’t ask me for any money,” I thought to myself.

He didn’t.

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop, but he didn’t look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. “That’s a very pretty car,” he said. He was ragged, but he had an air of dignity around him.

I said, “Thanks,” and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened, something inside me said, “Ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure that he would say, “Yes.”

“Do you need any help?” I asked.

He answered in three simple words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing from this man but an outstretched, grimy hand. His answer took me completely by surprise. “Don’t we all?” he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words shook me to the core. “Don’t we all?”

“Don’t we all?” Those words really hit me too. No matter who you are, how accomplished you may be, how much you may have, we all need help. As people of faith we believe our help comes from God. I think the Psalmist had it right…..”I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

I know I need help. I know some of you believe I need help! That’s okay….like the Psalmists, my help comes from the LORD. I hope you can be honest enough to admit that you need help and that you know where your help comes from and who is giving it.

Frank