God Is Love

“Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. When we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

(1 John 4:7-12)

Greetings Church.

February and love seem to go hand in hand as Valentine’s day, (That’s the 14th

fellas) rapidly approaches couples will exchange flowers and chocolate. Friends and family will send each other cards. And people everywhere will be reminded of the gift that comes with sharing life with people we love and who love us in return.

It might surprise you to find out that this holiday started out as a day to remember a

3rd-century Catholic Priest named Valentine who was imprisoned and killed by the

Roman Emperor Claudius II for disobeying his orders.

According to legend, St. Valentine signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his

jailer’s daughter, whom he had befriended and healed from blindness. Another

common legend states that he defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married

couples to spare the husbands from war. And perhaps the first “Valentine” came as

Christians threw St. Valentine little notes of encouragement through the Jails

window.

Which legend is fact is up to debate, but the idea of encouragement and love

strikes a pleasant chord as I think of our scripture that says “God is love”

Towards the end of this month, we’ll begin the journey of Lent once again, and

we’ll see what real love – perfect, unconditional love –looks like.

In Jesus, we’ll witness love in action and love personified. We’ll see Christ call for

us to people in need. We’ll behold brotherly loyalty. And in the end, we’ll

experience love in the form of stunning self-sacrifice, even for His enemies.

Embraced by that kind of love, we are free to love one another (and even our

enemies) in genuine, costly, meaningful ways.

God bless you this month as we give thanks for the gifts of love all around us –

most of all, the gift of love that is ours forever in Jesus!

Christ’s peace and joy,

Pastor Tim

8:30 AM December - March

10:30 AM April- July

8:30 AM August - November

5th Sundays will be alternated at 9 AM with St. Paul's hosting on April 30th

The Annual Meeting of St. Paul's Lutheran Church was held on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

The group discussed whether or not changes should be made to the categories on our offering envelopes. After much discussion, it was decided we would keep the basic existing format, and just clarify that "benevolence" means SYNOD BENEVOLENCE, and you are contributing funds to the efforts of the Synod (also very important).

Aside from the CURRENT EXPENSES category, which helps St. Paul's continue to run (utilities, supplies, staff, outreach), Members felt it was important to still be able to give to their favorite causes through their weekly offering. The Treasurer felt that it was not a burden to accomplish the sending of these funds to the intended party on a monthly basis. PLEASE NOTE that St. Paul's also gives money to the Synod as part of our monthly budget to help our Synod thrive!

It was requested that we get the Annual Report out to the congregation well in advance of the meeting so people have time to review the minutes. (The minutes from The 2022 Annual Meeting, and Mid-Year Meeting were rather lengthy because we had a lot of wonderful things happen to our congregation in 2022!)

The Budget was approved, and we are very proud of the fact that the projected deficit of approximately $3,000 is decidedly much less than in years past! We are hopeful that we will wipe out any deficit this year!!

Pastor Tim and Pastor Bob are both very pleased with the way things are running. We are about to welcome 9 new members to our congregation. The 2023 Budget provides for the continued employment of Pastor Tim (1/2 time with St. Paul's, and 1/2 time with Bristol) and Pastor Bob (1/8 time with St. Paul's and 1/8 time with Bristol).

We reviewed the fact that we reduced the number of Congregation Council members from 9 to 7 in 2022. And with that in mind, two members presented themselves as candidates for Council for the next 3-year term. Angie Stuelke will serve as the Vice President, and Debra McMichael has also joined Council (as our Parish Secretary, she won't be able to serve on Mutual Ministry since that would make her "her own boss!"). We welcome Angie and Debra to our council. Jill Oelke agreed to serve one final 3-year term on Council until someone else steps forward, or her term expires. Rob Rowbotham will serve as Council President.

We extend deep thanks to long-time council President Susan Quamme as she has fulfilled two terms on Council. And we give thanks to Helen Hebel, who has devoted many decades to the life of St. Paul's Church! THANK YOU, Sue and Helen!

In order to accommodate the schedules of Pastors Tim and Bob, the Council will now meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Church Library. It is vital that the Pastors are able to meet with the Council. The next meeting will be February 9 at 6:30 PM.

President- Rob Rowbotham

Vice President - Angie Stuelke

Secretary - Jill Oelke

Debra McMichael

Marilyn Connell

Lynn Anderson

Jamie Stock-Retzloff

We will be starting rehearsal for Bells on March 5th at 9:30 AM, we will be rehearsing to perform on April 9th at our 10:30 AM Easter service. If interested in ringing with us please speak with Val Silha.

If you would like to purchase Lilies or Spring Flower for easter St. Pauls will be ordering from Waterloo Bloom. They are $15, and will be delivered to the church for you. Order forms are on the table in front of the office, please make checks payable to Waterloo Blooms. Any questions please contact Val Silha.

February 11th: Spaghetti and Meatballs

March 11th: Corned Beef and Cabbage

April 8th: Ham or Grilled Chicken

May 13th: Grilled Pork Chop

Special thank you to Jamie Stock-Retzloff, Corryn, and Bryn Huebner for the artistic golf hole at the FKJML event held Saturday, January 21st!

2/1 Mary Heiman

2/2 Jeremy Kaplanek

2/2 Willow Stahnke

2/3 Nova Kuntz

2/5 Debra McMichael

2/5 Brandi Rounds

2/7 Paul Mattson

2/7 Kristie Silha

2/9 Ray Unrein

2/10 Dylan Grimsled

2/10 Edward Pionkowski

2/13 Jeanne Ritter

2/14 Mark Knapton

2/14 Zachary Knapton

2/16 Joyce Kovalaske

2/16 Allison Malueg

2/16 Dawn Schaller

2/17 Amy Baumgartner

2/17 Brayden Junkers

2/18 Tom Lewellin

2/18 Kathy Tarnowski

2/21 Joan Unrein

2/24 Jakyb Silha

2/26 Pastor Tim Knipfer

2/26 Randy Buss

2/28 Debra Buss

When: Monday February 13th 3:30 PM until all food is distributed

Where: Marshall High School 623 Madison St. Marshall, WI

Open to people in the Marshall and Waterloo area who are in need of assistance.

*Due to Covid-19 protocols have changed. Please contact Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin for more information.

Sunday services are available weekly on Charter/Spectrum Cable Channel 992.

Past services can be viewed through our YouTube Channel.

Weekly Broadcast Schedule

Mondays - 8:30 AM

Tuesdays - 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM

Wednesday - 7:00 PM

Thursdays - 12:00 PM

February 5th

Usher: Leroy H.

Greeter: Russel P. & Marilyn C.

Lector: Jill O.

Prayer Leader: Jill O.

Comm. Asst: Jill O.

Acolyte: Adelyn

Organist: Elizabeth C.

Videographer: Debra M.

February 12th

Usher: Dennis B.

Greeter: Don & Phyllis V.

Lector: Val S.

Prayer Leader: Val S.

Comm. Asst: Val S.

Acolyte: Lucy B.

Organist: Elizabeth C.

Videographer: Jill O.

February 19th

Usher: Bob S.

Greeter: Larry & Val S.

Lector: Sharon B.

Prayer Leader: Sharon B.

Comm. Asst: Russel P.

Acolyte: Ivy

Organist: Elizabeth C.

Videographer: Jill O.

February 22nd (Ash Wednesday)

Usher: Russel P.

Greeter: Russel P. & Marilyn C.

Lector: Debra M.

Prayer Leader: Debra M.

Comm. Asst: Debra M.

Acolyte: Laila

Organist: Elizabeth C.

Videographer: None

February 26th

Usher: Russel P.

Greeter: Kris W. & Jan C.

Lector: Terry S.

Prayer Leader: Terry S.

Comm. Asst: Russel P.

Acolyte: Bryn H.

Organist: Esther P.

Videographer: Jill O.

March 5th

Usher: Leroy H.

Greeter: Dave Z. & Terry S.

Lector: Debra M.

Prayer Leader: Debra M.

Comm. Asst: Debra M.

Acolyte: Not Assigned Yet

Organist: Elizabeth C.

Videographer: Jill O.