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Upcoming Forums
9:45 in the ESSE room
  • Feb. 5 - No Forum (Check out the Superbowl of Ministries in the Sanctuary!)
     
  • Feb. 12 - What Does Athens Have to Do with Jerusalem?: Perspectives from Lutheran Campus Ministry The Rev. Elizabeth Palmer, Lutheran campus pastor in Hyde Park, along with a student or two from the University of Chicago, will talk about the integration of the life of the mind with faith and share about some of the exciting things that are happening these days in campus ministries.
     
  • Feb. 19 - Serving Immigrants in the Immigrant Land
    Presenter: Rev. Rimon Said, St. Elias Christian Church, Chicago Pastor Said immigrated to the United States in the year 1991 for the purpose of being a minister to the immigrant community in Chicago. Pastor Said received his M.Div. degree from LSTC (Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago) and started a mission church with the help of the Division for Outreach of ELCA in the North Side of the city. The mission church's name was St. Elias Arabic Church, and was recently changed to St. Elias Christian Church. We serve immigrants who come from the Middle East, who originally were Christians and speak the Arabic language. 
     
  • Feb. 26 - Apr. 1 (six Sundays) - Head up to the Sanctuary for "Making Sense of the Cross" (see details below)

A New Book of Faith Initiative Series—Sundays in Lent

Making Sense of the Cross

Featuring David Lose (via DVD),
Professor of Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary
The heart of the cross is an element of mystery that can’t be resolved either easily or entirely.

In this six-part Bible study series, you will have the opportunity to “listen in” on a conversation with two people having an open and candid conversation and discussion about the cross. One of the voices knows a little more and assumes the role of teacher or coach, someone who has had the time and opportunity to study the faith in some depth. The second voice assumes the role of someone who is curious and knows a little bit about the faith but brings a lot of questions.

Here are some of the questions that come up in Making Sense of the Cross:
  •     So what’s with the cross?
  •     What does the cross say about God?
  •     What’s the big deal?
  •     Did Jesus have to die?
CLICK HERE  for a short video sample of session one.

Series Schedule:

Feb. 26 – Session 1: A Man Hanging on a Tree
Mar. 4   – Session 2: Portraits and Perspectives
Mar. 11 – Session 3: Ransom and Victory
Mar. 18 – Session 4: Substitution, Satisfaction, and Sacrifice
Mar. 25 – Session 5: Example and Encouragement
Apr. 1   – Session 6: Event and Experience

Making Sense of the Cross will take place in the Sanctuary from 9:45-10:45 am and be facilitated
by Pastor Mark Williamson.

You can purchase the book that accompanies this course for $10 on Sundays beginning on Feb. 5 (at the Adult Faith Formation table at the Superbowl of Ministries), or from the church office. Hint: You’ll want to read the Introduction and first chapter prior to session one.
2nd Annual Superbowl of Ministries
on Superbowl Sunday
Are you or someone you know involved in a ministry that makes your heart sing?
Are you looking for something to do that would feed a passion of yours?

On Superbowl Sunday, February 5, between the two services and after the late service, tables of information and answer questions will fill the side aisles of the sanctuary and snake down the back hall.

Coffee and snacks will be served in the narthex.    Questions? Call Pat Pape or Tecla Reklau

Connections High School Ministry
Souper Bowl of Caring is coming soon…
 
Souper Bowl of Caring is a national youth effort, begun by teenagers more than 20 years ago, to raise awareness of hunger needs locally, nationally and internationally at the beginning of February each year.
While many Americans prepare for a big weekend of televised championship football, youth will come together all over the country to collect food and money, and to serve those in need in their communities.

We’re excited about being involved in this year’s Souper Bowl of Caring by participating in:
 

  • a Connections Scavenger Hunt on Sunday night, January 29th,
     
  • as well as collecting funds after worship services on Sunday, February 5th – aka, Souper Bowl Sunday!

Food collected will go to support the People’s Resource Center, and funds collected will go to ELCA World
Hunger. Let’s get ready to TACKLE HUNGER by helping feed people in our community and all over the world!
 
Join a Small Group This Lent!
 
Over the last few years, many St. Paul members and friends have enjoyed the opportunity to connect with God and one another through participation in a Lenten small group study.

This year, groups will again meet for six Wednesday evenings, beginning on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22)
either at 5:15pm or 7:30pm. Here are three options for you to consider:

  • Written by a respected biblical scholar who teaches at Luther Seminary and serves as the director of the Book of Faith Initiative for the ELCA.
  • As in the past, this Lenten Journey book provides a daily devotional component for the 40 days of Lent and good helps for prayer and journaling.
  • The theme of water--there is a lot of water in the Bible!--coincides splendidly with the Outreach Board's fill-a-mug (with coins) for fresh water drive to support clean water projects of ELCA World Hunger

2.) Cultivating the faith practices of Lent in the home - a group especially for parents of young children

  • Flows directly out of our family-friendly evening worship series on five Lent practices: fasting, almsgiving, intercession (prayer), confessing, and forgiving.
  • Perfect for those who prefer not to take on a book, but are eager for conversation and fellowship around finding the practical in faith practices for their families.
  • Coincides with the final 45 minutes (7:30-8:15) of KAMP--Kids Assembling for Ministry and Praise (for K-8th graders)

3.) Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes by Robert McAfee Brown

  • Another way to live into our Book of Faith Initiative commitment, this short book presents ten key Bible passages as seen through the eyes of the poor in "Majority World" countries.
  • Has some nice continuity with the global focus of last years' study on Rick Steves' Travel as a Political Act
  • Is recognized as a minor classic (it's almost 30 years old) for connecting North American Christians with the insights of their brothers and sisters particularly in Latin America.
Look for the sign-up posters in the narthex and by the church office throughout the first few weeks of February, or stop by the Adult Faith Formation table at the Superbowl of Ministries (Feb. 5).

Please note: The deadline for ordering a book for the Lenten Journey: Water Marks ($10) or Unexpected News ($13) groups is Sunday, February 12.
 
BASIC Lent Retreat
 
  • March 16-17, 2012
     
  • Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center
    Oregon, Illinois
 

 
For more information, CLICK HERE
to view/print/download, the Retreat Brochure
 
Men's Breakfast Concludes Begins Series on Relationship Between Christianity and Islam
 

A Christian Response
The Saturday Morning Breakfast Group meets biweekly at 7:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, doughnuts, and conversation. Haven't been to men's group before? "No experience necessary!"

Three and a half billion people — the majority of the world’s population — profess Christianity or Islam.

Renowned scholar Miroslav Volf’s controversial proposal is that Muslims and Christians do worship the same God — the only God.
  
In February we conclude our discussion of Volf's book Allah: A Christian Response, which offers a constructive way forward by reversing the “our God vs. their God” premise that destroys bridges between neighbors and nations, magnifies fears, and creates strife.
 
Feel free to join in on the conversation mid-stream.

Here's our schedule:  
  • Jan. 28 - PARTIII: "Critical Themes: The Trinity and Love"                      (pp.127-186)
     
  • Feb. 11 - Chapter 10: "The Same God, the Same Religion?" and Chapter 11: "Prejudices, Proselytism, and Partnership"
     
  • Feb. 25 - Chapter 12: "Two Faiths, Common God, Single Government"; Chapter 13: "The Fear of God and the Common Good"; and Epilogue: "Reality Check: Combatting Extremism"
     
 ...and save the date for Metro Chicago Synod Lutheran Men in Mission event scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 10am-12pm.  Details coming soon!

Questions about men's group? Contact Pastor Mark Williamson at mwilliamson.stpaul@sbcglobal.net
 




January 27, 2012
Luther
More info & Trailer







February 17, 2012
Midnight in Paris
More info & Trailer
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