News and Resources

Take a "Stay-at-Home" Ride on the Sea of Galilee on March 10, 7:30 p.m.

Submitted by Mark Friz on March 9, 2010 - 8:35pm
Newsletter: 

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

Tomorrow, Ron and Barb Quigley will take you to the Sea of Galilee, and the surrounding area, where Jesus fed the 5000 and preached the Sermon on the Mount. Join us for supper at 6:00, testimonies at 6:45, hymn sing at 7:10, and worship at 7:30. (Focus and Fusion meet at the same time).

Also, my sister, Martha, is reading through the Bible this year. She blogs everyday about what she has read, and has interesting insights.

Forum Follows Each Service on March 7

Submitted by Mark Friz on March 6, 2010 - 4:28pm
Newsletter: 

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

Most of you this week received a letter concerning Pastor Greg Volpitto's departure from St. Paul's. As would be expected, Greg's departure has raised many questions in our congregation.

Our Church Council, Spiritual Council, and Personnel Committee will hold an open meeting for members of St. Paul's on Sunday, March 7th, following each worship service. During this meeting, our leaders will make a statement and answer questions you might have about Greg's departure.

Holy Communion This Sunday, March 7

Submitted by Mark Friz on March 5, 2010 - 10:41am
Newsletter: 

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

We continue on our journey to the Cross this Sunday, with a focus on Luke 13:1-9. The question of Human Tragedy comes up.

  • Was Pilate's massacre of some Galilean Zealots caused by their sin? Was the tower that fell down and killed 18 people a punishment for sin?
  • In our modern world, we wonder about earthquakes, hurricanes, shootings, terrorism.

"Stay-at-Home" Trip to the Holy Land, Part 3: The Judean Hill Country

The Judean Hill Country has great significance in both Old and New Testaments. As the place where the patriarchs are buried (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, Leah), it is the second holiest place in Judaism, next to Jerusalem. King Herod the Great was active in the Judean Hill Country, building fortresses such as the Herodium, just 3 miles from Bethlehem. Of course, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, making that city a holy site for Christians.

Jesus Continues Toward the Cross

Submitted by Mark Friz on February 26, 2010 - 6:04pm
Newsletter: 

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

This Second Sunday of Lent brings us to the scripture in Luke 13:31-35. Jesus has stated for a second time that he must go to Jerusalem, and face the cross that awaits him there. He then begins a lament about how often he would have gathered the children of Jerusalem together, as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, "but your refused and turned away!" This is the text behind the sermon title, "Jesus--the Rejected Lover."

A second lectionary text for Sunday speaks of God's promise of a child and land to an elderly Abraham (Genesis 15).

"Stay-at-Home" Trip to the Holy Land, Part 2: The Valleys

Our second day leads us to the valleys of the Holy Land, which were battlegrounds of the Old Testament. For example, the Elah Valley was where David fought with Goliath; the Sorek Valley was where many battles in the book of Judges took place; the Aijalon Valley was where in Joshua 10, the "sun stood still." Kelly and Vicky will also take us to a first century house, similar to the one where Jesus was born, and a vineyard, which helps us understand John 15.

Freedom Sunday

Posted by Daniel Alstadt on February 21, 2010 - 4:46pm

Many of you might have seen the movie Amazing Grace which told the incredible story of William Wilberforce’s fight to end the slave trade in England. I found it very inspiring and informative on a subject about which I knew very little. I recall seeing an option on the DVD menu on ending modern day slavery and laughing a little inside at the thought of such atrocities continuing on today. In my mind, slavery had ended.

Three years passed with little thought on the subject, and then I found myself attending an Urbana workshop titled "Modern-Day Abolitionist Movements". It was there that I learned in detail how these horrors continue today and of things I could do to end modern day slavery.

This Sunday: Continuing in the Wilderness

Submitted by Mark Friz on February 19, 2010 - 12:11pm
Newsletter: 

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

On Ash Wednesday, we discovered that the areas of "wilderness" in the Holy Land are stark, barren, more like what we consider to be deserts. We will continue to focus on the wilderness this Sunday as we focus on Luke 4:1-13: Jesus' Temptation and 40 Days of Fasting in the Wilderness. The sermon title is Three Temptations in Three Locations.

This Sunday will also be Freedom Sunday. Ashley Pettus will speak to us in both services about how God has placed a burden on her heart to combat modern day slavery.

"Stay-at-Home" Trip to the Holy Land, Part 1: The Wilderness

This series of pictures takes us to five of the wilderness areas of the Holy Land. In the USA, we think of "the wilderness" as a place with forests, lakes and life. You will see that in the Bible, "the wilderness" is more like what we would call a desert.

"Stay-at-Home" Trip to Holy Land Begins Ash Wendesday, February 17

Submitted by Mark Friz on February 16, 2010 - 7:49pm
Newsletter: 

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

You've been hearing about it for months. Now is the time to pack your bags and begin your "Stay-at-Home" trip to the Holy Land. Your "plane" leaves on Ash Wednesday, February 17. Please arrive at St. Paul's in time for your "departure" at 7:30 p.m. Because of special arrangements with the TSA, you will not have to go through security or have your bags checked. All that will be required is your presence and attention.