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Life Quote

“Lifting each other up, as we share

our faith in Christ who came to make

all things new, is the only hope we

have. Let us not waste this life God

has given us, but let us move for-

ward in faith, together, knowing that

ultimately the gates of hell will not

prevail against those who love God.”

Abbott Tryphon,

A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life

ST. PAUL’S MISSION

Make disciples that GATHER together, GROW in Jesus, and GO and be

His hands and feet.

ST. PAUL | MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | JULY/AUGUST 2020

Freedom in Christ

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are cre-

ated equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with cer-

tain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty

and the pursuit of Happiness.” These words penned by our

nation’s forefathers and signed on July 4, 1776, marked the

day of our independence as a free nation. This year, on July

4th, we celebrate the United States of America’s 244th

birthday. For 244 years, the people of this nation have

enjoyed the freedoms that come with being a citizen. But

there is nothing “free” about freedom.

For the past 240 years men and women have given up their

freedoms that we might keep ours. They have given up their

lives and died for their country so that our God-given

unalienable rights are not infringed upon. The freedoms we

enjoy in this country like free speech, freedom of religion,

freedom of the press, etc. are secure today because of the

sacrifice made by those who have come before us and by

those who continue to protect those rights for us.

This week, as I think about the countless number of

sacrifices made to ensure our freedom, I couldn’t help but

think about the most significant sacrifice, that of our Savior

Jesus. Our human nature is sinful. Bound to sin, death, and

the power of the devil, we are far from free. Paul talks about

this in Romans when he writes, “When you were Cont. page 3

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July 2020 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Ralph Grabow

Francis White

Louise Fair -

banks, Marcia Ketcham

1 10:00am Policy Committee

6:00pm Next Steps Class

2 9:00am Rummage Sale

10:00am LWR Quilters

2:00pm Elders Meeting

3 9:00am Rummage Sale

4 8:00am Rummage Sale

9:30am Communion Worship 10:45am Education Hour

6 9:00am Men’s Ministry

10:00am Fellowship Meeting

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8 11:00am Dorcas

6:00pm Next Steps Class

9 10 11 7:00am Men’s Ministry

Breakfast

9:30am Morning Worship 10:45am Education Hour

13 9:00am Men’s Ministry

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15 10:00am Cemetery Committee

6:00pm Next Steps Class

16 10:00am LWR Quilters

5:00pm Evangelism Meeting

6:00pm Altar Guild

17 18

9:30am Communion Worship 10:45am Education Hour

20 9:00am Men’s Ministry

11:00am Stewardship Meets

21 22

VBS (Online) 6:00pm Next Steps Class

23

VBS (Online)

24

VBS (Online)

25

9:30am Morning Worship 10:45am Education Hour

27 9:00am Men’s Ministry

28 29 30 31

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slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.” In our sinfulness we were bound in chains to sin and death under the condemnation of the law. But thanks be to God, who sent his only Son into the world to bear our sin and be our Savior. By the death of the Jesus, the Son of God, we are freed from those chains that bind us. We have freedom in Christ who loves us and gave up his life for us. A little later in Romans Paul continues, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Did you catch that? You are free because you are connected to Christ! You are forgiven because of Jesus; you are no longer bound to sin and death. This independence day, as we gather with family and friends to celebrate the freedoms we have as Americans in this land, may we also

daily remember the freedom we have in Christ Jesus our Savior. May we focus on the love and sacrifice he has for us and calls us to have for one another, and may we live as ones free from sin and death and share that freedom with the world! In the joy of Jesus,

Pastor Joe

THE COMPASSION PROJECT Know someone in our congregation or the community who needs help, could use a visit, or just needs some compassion shown to them? The compassion Project of St. Paul wants to help. Whether it’s a meal, some paper products, or help fixing a leaky toilet, the Compassion Project gives the hope of Jesus by showing compassion. There are no strings attached. We love our community and want to help as we are able. Please contact the office or check out the website to let us know how we can be compassionate or if you want to know more.

LWR Quilters

St. Paul Quilters will continue to meet throughout the summer on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. We always welcome anyone interested in joining us. We actually have a lot of quilts to work on thanks to Julie Forrest's creative work making quilt tops from home. Thank you so much, Julie! We have so much to be thankful for. We really appreciate whomever donated the many boxes of clean fabric. We enjoyed going through them and organizing our closets again. It was kind of like Christmas. The fabric we couldn't use was donated to the Senior Citizens Center. Thank you, Paul and Virginia Dault, for delivering them. By the way, welcome back Virginia. We missed you! Thank you also Judy Rich for your hard work and patience adjusting the size of the wedding banner for the Altar Guild, and to you, Joanne Bryngelson, for the donation of the cute flannel for baby quilts. It is wonderful to have such a great group of ladies to work with.

Peace of the Lord, Karen Budnick

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Council Meeting Minutes- St. Paul Lutheran Church Date: May 12, 2020

In attendance: Pastor Joe, Chuck Vangorden (President), Mark Ames, (Vice President), Larry Dewar (Trustee), Cindy Grimwade (Stewardship), Julie Miller (Fellowship), Mary Lou Schalkofske and Keith Rich (Treasurers), Linda Smith (Financial Secretary), Stephanie Buchinger (Evangelism), Dianna Vangorden (Recording Secretary), Doug Kuffert (Elder), Randy Fairbanks (Child Care Development Committee Chair) Absent: Paulette Werth (Christian Education) The meeting is called to order Mark Ames at 6:55 p.m. Opening prayer by Pastor Llewellyn Time is given to review all reports and minutes from April 14, 2020 meeting. Motion made by Cindy Grimwade to accept minutes from April 14, 2020 meeting as amended. Seconded by Mark Ames, motion carries. Council Reports: Presidents Report: Chuck VanGorden (Verbal Report) No report Vice President Report: Mark Ames (highlights, full report of Action Item list is attached) Larry is trying to get a man lift from someone on the West Shore of the Lake. Camera's are not all in because we ran out of wire Treasurer’s Report: MaryLou Schalkofske (highlights, full report attached) Good month of April. Non-members have been donating. The discrepancy was resolved. Was a keystroke error. Finance Secretary: Linda Smith (highlights, full report attached) Total giving April = $21,950.72 Books are up to date Board Reports: Elders Report: Doug Kuffert (visitor report attached) Verbal report Had a meeting and discussed procedures to follow for Covid-19 Discussed holding church May 31st. Discussed live streaming regular church services once we get back to holding regular church services Pastor to look into what equipment was needed. He did not think it would take much and we

could use the money from the technology budget. Trustees Report: Larry Dewar (highlights, full report attached) Thanks to Randy Fairbanks and all the men helping with all the labor involved on the room renovations. Larry suggested that we take down the east entrance while we still have the dumpster here.

Would save us money from not having to rent it again. Lawn mowing estimate is the same as last year ($125 Church + $125 Cemetery), but if we pay

an extra $100 he will roll both the Church and the Cemetery. All agreed it was a good idea and the money is in Ground Maintenance.

Christian Education: Paulette Werth (highlights, full report attached) absent no report Cindy Spoke on Paulette's behalf: We will be doing VBS in a bag A meeting was held with all potential Teachers to discuss Evangelism Report: Stephanie Buchinger (highlights, full report attached) Calls were made during the Pandemic to our Church members to make sure they were doing ok

and to see if there was any need. The calls were well received.

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Contact was made with Sanborn and Wilson School Success Workers regarding our ability to help families in need. We asked that they pass out information onto the families since school is out for the year.

Stewardship Report: Cindy Grimwade (highlights, full report attached) Still on hold , and only one meeting left for Financial Peace Fellowship: Julie Miller (Highlights, full report attached) Julie spoke with the director of 'Dancing with Joy' the youth ballet troupe to see if they would still

be interested in being a part of our "Celebrating Women- An English High Tea” Would like to try to hold it in September.

Hopefully we can still hold our Church Picnic in July. Staff Reports: Administrative Assistant Report: Monica Kowalski (full report attached) nothing new to report Pastor's Report: (highlights, full report attached) Planning worship for May and June. First in person service will be May 31st. We will celebrate

Easter and Pentecost. There will be no fellowship, but we will have bible study in the gym. Still in need of some additional trustees Posted additional content on Facebook to keep people connected Updated and maintained the website for communication and online worship Old Business: Fire Alarm System: Still waiting on the company from Brighton. Company from Traverse City

coming out May 14th to re-evaluate and give a firm price. PPP update: thought we were getting $24,000, received $17,000. Was deposited May 8th. We

need to apply for forgiveness of the loan after 8 weeks showing how it was spent. Voter's assembly absentee vote: Needed 20, received 60! Motion passed for Phase one of Child

Care room (exterior renovation). *Childcare & Renovation of SE classrooms: Randy Fairbanks made the council aware of all the accomplished work done so far on the 2 classrooms. He is continuing to work on a budget for the Center as well as a Business Plan. *Randy is also working on Grant applications. Two have already been applied for. The largest one requires that we show that our voters have approved the Center and are on board. Most of the Grants require matching funds, and with what we have and will have put into the renovations etc., should not be a problem. Because of the deadline to apply for the large Grant, we need to get voter's approval ASAP

Chuck pointed out that the Fire alarm system was in the quoted estimate for the Child Care Center. He felt this is an "entire" church necessity, whether or not we do a day care center or not. It should be a separate proposal to the voters. This would reduce the estimate to finish the 2 classrooms to approximately $38,684.

Chuck brought up the new accounting software and asked for any comments or questions. Mary Lou brought up her concerns of the cost for the new program $900 vs $500 for Shepherd's Staff. Doug asked if the new software was worth the $400 more per year. Pastor explained that the new software contains 2 modules vs 4 modules in the Shepherd's Staff; the Ledger 360 (accounting module) is only $400 per year. The member 360 Module will be accessible for members to change their information and view their giving etc. while maintaining privacy. It is much more user friendly, but Pastor said an Ad-hoc committee of Mary Lou, Keith, Pastor, Chuck, Cindy and Linda Smith will get together and review and report back with a recommendation.

New Business: None

Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Next Council Meeting: June 9, 2020 Respectfully submitted by Dianna Vangorden Note: All submitted reports can be viewed in their entirety in the church's office

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UPDATED JUNE 2020 The Board of Parish Fellowship Says

SAVE THE DATES WHAT IS BEING PLANNED FOR 2020 and 2021

Annual Picnic July 19, 2020 changed to October 4th 2020 Chair Bd. of Parish Fellowship. VBS IN A BAG July 22, 23 and 24, 2020. Will still be held but using virtual media as used for the on line church services. VBS will still offer: Christian education, singing, fun, bonfires w/S’mores but virtual. Chair Bd. of Christian Education August 8, 2020 new confirmed date, Area Farm to Table – preserve what we sow, Bring your kids and let them learn first hand from our area farmers and their farming operations such as dairy, bee keepers, vegetable farms, mushroom growing with sampling some of God’s bounty, balloon man for the kids. Fun for all ages. Approx. 1 pm no charge. P.F. Bd. Chair Donna Wolfrom Julie Miller Hunter’s Round-Up POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2021 Oktoberfest under the tent. CHANGED TO OCTOBER 4, 2020 with Norm Siess will now be on Sunday Octo-ber 4 as a Polka Fest Service like last year. Following will be a family friendly German dinner in the gym with sing a-long music by Norm and yes you can polka if you wish. More details to follow. Reservations will be re-quired but St Paul members may invite other family and guests. Chair Parish Fellowship Board Committee

October 31, 2020 annual Trunk or Treat. Same format as last year but it will be held both inside and outside. Games, refreshments, treat tables inside and decorated treat trunks outside. Chair Parish Fellow-ship Committee Start planning your decorations now. December 2020 date to be announced Annual Children’s Christmas church service/play. Chair Board of Christian Education Family Snowflake Event – January, 2021 exact date to be determined. . Featuring a horse drawn sleigh that will hold 12 people for 15 minute rides on church grounds over a two hour period. Join us for “build a snow-man” contest, snow fort, snow angels, and more. Serving hot dogs, veggie trays, chips, hot chocolate, coffee and S’mores around the bonfire. Reservation required the same as last year. Like last year you may invite friends/family who are not members of St Paul but everyone must reserve their space in advance as we only have so much time allotted to each family for rides. When its full, it full. Chair Board of Parish Fellowship

Dorcas Rummage & Bake Sale

July 2nd & 3rd: 9am to 5pm

July 4th: 8am to 12pm

Something for everyone! Including rada

cutlery, baked goods and many other

great treasures for your home!

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Seated with Christ

Have you ever found yourself driving around a new part of town when you come upon a

neighborhood of gorgeous homes, manicured lawns and just for a second had a hint of envy? Or meeting with friends when the topic of vacations revealed plans to head off on a Mediterranean

cruise or maybe a trip to Hawaii, while you were doing the “stay-cation” this year? Why can’t I go somewhere more exotic, more romantic?

Was I coveting what my neighbor had? Why wasn’t I content? Is something wrong with me? That

day the devotion was based on Ephesians 2:6 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us

with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus …” There it was, the answer to my concerns, my

doubt. I was already seated at the table. Everyone in this world makes different decisions in their

lives. We have varying opportunities; many types of jobs that generate widely different incomes. We each choose how we spend the gifts we have been given.

But you are already seated at the table, with Christ. Your future is secure. No matter the life you

have today, whether you wait on tables, perform brain surgery or touch lives by being a first responder, you are seated at the table. That trumps whatever envy, jealously or anger you might

have been fighting.

It’s like going to the local planetarium. Kids want to rush in, maybe even some adults, to get the

best seats. Just as you are ready to hurry in, the guide reminds the guests, “All seats provide

equal viewing of the universe! No matter where you sit, you won’t miss any part of the show!” That’s true for you. No matter the path to get there, the joys and the sorrows along the route, you

won’t miss any part of the show. Your seat at the table has been reserved, the price paid.

As you contemplate the time when you will take your seat at the table, stop and ponder what you will do with the gifts you have already received. How will you make them a blessing to your favorite

ministries or your family? Leave your children enough to do something, but not so much that they do nothing! Will your gift be a blessing or a curse? Do you realize when people win a lottery prize

or receive an inheritance; it is all spent in less than two years?

It’s your choice. You are the steward of the gifts given to you by God. Include an inheritance to

your family, but also remember that your role as a Christian is to bring others along, to sit at the table. Call Church Extension Fund Gift Planning today. Let us help you explore ideas to bless your

family and the ministries you love, as you specify how your Gifts are to be shared. Create your plan today, before your seat at the table is occupied.

Bill Burmeister

Michigan District | 800-242-3944

2020 VBS

This year due to COVID-19, we will host “VBS in a bag”.

Each student will receive a drawstring backpack with

lessons, crafts and snacks as they join us on our wilderness

journey.

Videos of lessons, crafts and other fun things will be

available on our website on Monday, July 20, 2020. We

hope your family and children will join us on this journey!

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St. Paul Finances May 2020

Monthly Offering for May (General Fund) $ 20,613.78

Month of May Expenses (General Fund) $ 15,074.88

Non-Budget Income $ 17,593.15

Non-Budget Expenses $ 1,620.08

2020 Budget $ 231,915.00

(Needed per Month $19,326.25)

Year to Date Offerings $ 88,574.70

Year to Date Expenses $ 79,613.91

YTD Non-Budget Income $ 86,014.49

YTD Non-Budget Expenses $ 68,306.65

General Fund Balances May 31, 2020

General Fund Checking (Besser Cr. Union) $ 64,554.86

General Fund Savings (Besser Cr. Union) $ 860.55

General Fund Investments (Money Mkt. & CEF) $ 14,495.21

Contingency Fund Balance May 31, 2020 $ 42,093.77

Money Market $ 3,358.42

(Edward Jones) $ 38,735.35

Loan Balance as of May 31, 2020 $ 302,243.56

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12: Raymond & Peggy Krentz 25: Bill & Carol Neddermeyer 26: Randy & Carolyn Thiem 31: Andrew & Stephanie Buchinger

1: Sonny Ploetz 2: Bailey Herriman 4: William Domke 4: Peggy Ratz 6: Sue Perdue 6: Brian Perkins 8: Paulette Werth 8: Stephanie Buchinger 9: Marvin Schultz 9: Jennifer Werth 10: Joanne Zarske 12: Katelyn Naffien 13: Michelle Balog

13: Carson Werth 13: Donna Wolfrom 15: Janel Woodward 17: Earl Gerke 18: Cristy Curtis 19: Mary Lou Schalkofske 19: Kathy Tucker 22: Tiffany Crane 23: Ryan Meyer 26: Judy Rich 26: Arlyn Schultz

ADDRESS: St. Paul Lutheran Church 6891 Nicholson Hill Road Hubbard Lake, MI 49747 PHONE: 989.727.2496

EMAIL: office.stpaulhl@gmail.com pastor.stpaulhl@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/stpaulhubbardlake

CONTACT US!

WEBSITE: www.stpaulhubbardlake.org

1: Marian Grabow 1: Keith Rich 6: Andrew Buchinger 7: Nicholas Thibault 8: David Timm 9: Don Rumbles 10: Brittany Crane 11: Amara Werth 13: Susan Herron 13: Hannah Llewellyn 14: Lisa Werth

15: Mike Malaney 15: Ryan Mathewson 15: Chuck VanGorden 16: Garrett Naffien 17: Mark Ames 18: David Dasher 19: Tina VanDette 19: Bruce Wolfrom 27: Alisha Thibault 29: Fawn Naffien

4: Mike & Nicole Malaney 5: Randy & Louise Fairbanks 9: Fred & Dorene Werth 10: Dylan & Jillian Zybytowski 11: Chuck Miller & Elaine 14: Jon & Renae Schalkofske 15: Chuck & Karen Budnick 16: Al & Rebecca Dault 17: Garrett & Whitney Naffien 19: Harry & Patricia Williams 25: Paul & Jennifer Werth 26: William & Mable Domke 28: Seth & Amy Traylor 31: Edith Kollien & Alvin

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COUNCIL MEMBERS

President Chuck VanGorden

Vice President Mark Ames

Recording Secretary Diana VanGorden

Treasurer Keith Rich & Mary Lou Schalkofske

Financial Secretary & Board of Finance Linda Smith Board of Elders Doug Kuffert

Board of Trustees Larry Dewar

Board of Christian Education Paulette Werth

Board of Evangelism Stephanie Buchinger

Board of Stewardship Cindy Grimwade

Board of Fellowship Julie Miller

STAFF

Pastor Rev. Joseph Llewellyn Administrative Assistant Monica Kowalski Custodian Linda Smith

FREE GUEST WIFI PASSWORD: wolfcreek

Board of Elders & Zones

Zone 1: Amell—Buchinger Randy Fairbanks 989-727-3702

Zone 2: Budnick—Grabow Doug Kuffert

989-727-2790

Zone 3: Grimwade—Klein Ralph Grabow

989-356-2096

Zone 4: Kleve—Lancaster Bill Neddermeyer

989-727-2789

Zone 5: Liske—McGregor Bob Sutton

989-736-1344

Zone 6: Meyer—Ritthaler Al Dault

989-884-9140

Zone 7: Rumbles—Swafford Chuck Miller

989-356-3806

Zone 8: Teshka—VanGorden Les Miller

989-736-3890

Zone 9: Vantine—Zybytowski Bill Johnson

989-370-6626

LAY READER SCHEDULE

July 5 Bill Johnson

July 12 Les Miller

July 19 Marvin Schultz

July 26 Kiera werth

A Memorial was given to the Debt Retirement Fund in Memory of: Erna Miller A Memorial was given to the Electronic Sign Fund in Memory of: Richard Kazmiercrak and Al-fred Meyer