THE PROCLAIMER
August 2012
The mission of St. Paul Lutheran Church is to hear, share, and proclaim the Word of God.
FROM THE PASTOR
As I write this, I am on the 15th floor of the W
Motel in New Orleans, Louisiana. I am here with
our High School Youth Group Sponsor, Kim
Hengst, and nine of our youth, for the ELCA
National Youth Gathering.
You all know that at the end of August of 2005,
Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans head on. It
came in as a dangerous Category 4 storm. Just
when it looked like New Orleans had weathered the
storm, the levies holding back the waters
surrounding New Orleans gave way, and much of
the city was inundated with toxic floodwaters. Well
over a thousand people died, over 700 are still
missing, making it one of the worst natural disasters
in the history of our country.
When the floods came, many of the poorer residents
of New Orleans and the surrounding suburbs fled to
two of the most important buildings in New
Orleans: the Superdome and the New Orleans
Convention Center. But the police and other
authorities in New Orleans at the time were either
unable or unwilling to help those who were trapped
at the Superdome and the Convention Center. The
state police and federal authorities, who normally
would have come to immediately assist those hit by
a hurricane along the Texas coast, were nowhere to
be seen. Several days went by before any real
assistance came. Many people at the Superdome
and at the Convention Center died without food,
water, or medical aid. There were also reports that
criminals who had fled to the Superdome were
assaulting and raping people in and around the
Superdome, because there were no law enforcement
authorities to stop them.
I had just gotten to St. Paul in August of 2005. The
very first week that I was in Mason was about the
time that Katrina hit. I remember watching the TV
coverage and feeling more and more anger about
the suffering of those who were trapped, suffering,
and dying because of the flooding in and around
New Orleans. I kept thinking, “This looks like what
I would see happening when a disaster hits a Third
World Country, but we are not a Third World
Country, we are the United States of America, the
greatest country in the world.” It made me angry
that no authority on any level—local, state or
federal—seemed to be coming to help the people of
New Orleans. That was something that would
never happen in Texas. I knew that from my own
personal experiences with hurricanes here in Texas.
It was as if—for whatever reason—we had just
abandoned the people of New Orleans for those first
few critical days. And because of it, many had
suffered and died needlessly.
In 2006, 13 of us from St. Paul went to San Antonio
for the ELCA National Youth Gathering. Soon
after, it was announced that the next Youth
Gathering would be in New Orleans in 2009. When
we began planning to go, I told our youth who
wanted to go and their parents that attending the
Youth Gathering in New Orleans, with the
opportunity to help the people of New Orleans with
their recovery from Hurricane Katrina would be like
no other Youth Gathering the Lutheran Church had
ever put on. I told them that it could be an
experience that could change their lives.
Twelve of us were planning to attend the Gathering
in 2009. Unfortunately for me, the night we were
about to leave, I came down with food poisoning,
and was unable to attend. I was very disappointed
and angry, because I was so looking forward to
attending and helping the people of New Orleans.
Regardless, our youth and adults who did attend had
a great experience, and did their part to serve the
people of New Orleans and help them recover from
Katrina.
Then, the ELCA announced that this year we would
be returning to New Orleans for the National Youth
Gathering in 2012. I felt as if I had been given a
second chance to lead a group of youth in doing
what Jesus said we should do: serve those who
needed our help.
So here we are, 11 of us from St. Paul, here in New
Orleans, ready to experience what it means to help a
city that continues its recovery from one of the
greatest natural disasters in our country’s history.
We will be attending the Gathering in the same two
locations where so many suffered and died: the
Superdome and the New Orleans Convention
Center. We will be here to learn, to experience, and
to practice what it truly means to be a follower of
Jesus Christ. This is why I have been leading youth
in learning to be Christians and in learning to serve
others since I was 16 years old: because my own
life was changed forever as a Christian when I was
a youth, and because I believe that experiences like
the one we are at now can change the lives of young
people forever.
One of the young men who was at the Youth
Gathering in 2009 has told us that his greatest
experience as a member of our Youth Group has
been the worship experiences he had at the Youth
Gathering he attended at that time. This is an
example of how events like this can influence the
lives of our young people.
When we get back from New Orleans, you will hear
about our experiences at a worship service
sometime in August. My hope and my prayer is
that our experience in New Orleans will be a life
changing one for all of us.
Pastor Tim Scheffel
140TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON
AUGUST 12
We will continue our celebration of our 140th
anniversary as a congregation at our worship on
Sunday August 12. Our focus for that Sunday will
be on the “sons” of our congregation who have
become pastors. Those “sons” who were ordained
here at St. Paul include Hugo Probst, Heinze Ziehe,
Walter Probst, Max Heinrich, Kurt Hartmann,
Wilburn Kensing, Wilbert Doerr, Ron Birk,
Charles Eckert, Casey Zesch, and Ron Windecker.
Others who have roots here but were ordained
elsewhere are Leo Simon, David Doerfler, Jon
Bielfeldt, and Scott Hofmann. Plans are to sing
another German hymn during worship. We are
planning another covered dish meal, and will be
once again asking you to sign up to bring food.
After the meal, pictures will be shown of some of
the “sons” who have become pastors, as well as
comments from sons and descendants of sons.
MASON FOOD PANTRY
September is the month St. Paul Lutheran Church
will be responsible for packing and distributing
food to the needy in Mason County. Calling all
volunteers who would be willing to give a few
hours of their time to this worthy cause. Call Sara
Banta at 347-6111 if you are willing to volunteer.
The Mason Food Pantry is overseen by the Mason
Ministerial Alliance and each church belonging to
the Ministerial Alliance take turns being responsible
for the packing and distributing of the food each
month. Pastor Scheffel is the present President of
the Ministerial Alliance.
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
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Pastor Scheffel will be on vacation July 27Aug. 11. Pastor Birk will preach on July 22
& Aug. 5 and Pastor Eckert on July 29.
Tanatha Lange and Rowdy Ake will be
married on Saturday, Aug. 11 at St. Paul
Lutheran Church. Pastor Scheffel will be
officiating. Sharon Swafford and Justin
Fisher will be married on July 27 with
Pastor Charles Eckert officiating.
The next 140th celebration will be held on
Sunday, August 12 continuing the “Sons of
the Congregation” theme. Pastor Casey
Zesch of Bethany Lutheran Church in
Fredericksburg will preach.
Blessing of students and teachers will be
held on Sunday, August 19.
Sunday, August 26 will be Rally Day
Pastor Scheffel and Edie attended the
installation of Pastor Rick Hartmann at Zion
Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg July 1.
Pastor Shelley Simmont was also installed
as pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in
Comfort on July 15.
SPECIAL THANKS is sent out to the person or
persons who so kindly recovered the chairs in the
Thrift Shop.
OUR SINCERE THANKS
The Parish Education Committee would like to
express their gratitude to everyone who donated
bibles in honor or memory of a loved one in
commemoration of the 140th Anniversary of St.
Paul Lutheran Church. Those who donated bibles
are:
Pew Bibles
A.J. Probst Jr. Family
George & K.K. Brannies
Bert & Ann Mahnken
Pastor Tim & Edie Scheffel
Holle & Carol Plaehn
Brett & Kathy Loeffler
Wayne & Johanna Hofmann
Steve & Sheri Jordan
Ronnie & Sherie Clarkson
Helen Hahn
The Oliver D. Hahn Family
Kirby & Katherine Groves
Ron & Alberta Birk
Michael & Dianne Bielfeldt
Kenneth & Carolyn Loeffler
Flora Haines
Rev. William & Kathleen (Leifeste) Hill & Family
Joel L. Kuykendall
Gene & Linda Geistweidt
Larry & Barbara Wright
Bonnie Schmidt
Marie Loeffler
Joan & Richard Lindley
2
Henrietta & Don Keener
Children of Carl & Judy Schmidt
Awbrey & LaVerne Kothmann
Adotia Rode & Charlotte, Skye & Audra
Charles Geistweidt
John & Nancy Brown
Sherry Kusenberger
Frank Habecker
Meyer Children: Carolyn, Fred, Helen & John
Family of Tom & Edith Bogusch
Catherine C. Grace & Bill Capps
Buddy & Rebecca Schuessler
Glenn Debbie Nebgen
Children’s Adventure Bibles
A.J. Probst Jr. Family
George & K.K. Brannies
STEWARDSHIP DIRECTORY
FOR AUGUST
Large Print Bibles
Tina Wilson
BLESSING OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
August 26 will be a big Sunday for us here at St.
Paul. We will celebrate Blended Worship that
Sunday, and during that worship we will also have
our annual Blessing of Students and Teachers
before the start of the school year on Monday
August 27. In addition, youth who attended the
National Youth Gathering in New Orleans back in
July will lead worship and present the message that
morning, with the assistance of Pastor Tim and Kim
Hengst, who accompanied our youth to the
Gathering. Our Keyboard Orchestra will lead the
music.
CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION MEETING
After worship on Sunday August 26, the Parish
Education Committee will sponsor a covered dish
luncheon for Confirmation Students and their
parents in the Fellowship Hall. After the meal,
Pastor Tim will lead the group in an Orientation
Meeting to get them ready for Confirmation Classes
which will begin on Sunday September 9. We will
go over the responsibilities for Confirmation
Students, parents, and pastor. Confirmation
parents and their students are STRONGLY
ENCOURAGED to attend this meeting.
SPIRITUALLY IN TUNE
(Reprinted article from Stewardship, Nov. 2002)
Stewardship is more of a spiritual matter than it is a
matter of giving money to God’s work. Indeed,
when we are spiritually in tune with God,
everything else, our time, talents, and treasures all
seem to be healthy and used in the right proportion.
“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart
produces good…(Luke 6:45)
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR JUNE
Congregational Giving: $15,443.76
Expenditures: $16,629.28
OFFICIAL ACTS
Funeral:
6/13/12
H. Charles Eckert
Jerry & Dreu Bearden
Bert & Ann Mahnken
Pastor Tim & Edie Scheffel
Holle & Carol Plaehn
Brett & Kathy Loeffler
Kamryn & Trevor Loeffler
Wayne & Johanna Hofmann
Steve & Sheri Jordan
Jay & Beverly Marek
Flora Haines
Rev. William & Kathleen Hill
Ann Younger, Jim Bielfeldt, Jon Bielfeldt &
Dan Bielfeldt
Joan & Barbara Williams & family
Sherry Kusenberger
Buddy & Rebecca Schuessler
Lay Reader: Nancy Brown
Communion Assistants: Tommy Starks and
Carl Martin
Council Rep. on Duty: Bob Capps
Property Person on Duty: Sherie Clarkson
Bell Ringers: Tommy Starks, Wayne Hofmann,
and Wayne Carl Hofmann
Speaker System: Bill Koock, Mark Lehmberg,
Bob Vacek and Don Keener
Ushers: Bob Capps, Tim Schmidt
Audra Rode, Trudy Schmidt
Acolytes:
(8/5)
Dakota Lee, Coleman Swafford
(8/12) Jodie Evans, Susan Airheart
(8/19) Austin Habecker, Dawson Lee
(8/26) Baylee Owen, Grant Sanders
Greeters:
(8/5)
Kirby & Katherine Groves
(8/12) Sherie Clarkson
(8/19) Tim & Trudy Schmidt
(8/26) Carolyn Loeffler
Altar Guild:
Flower Chairman: Katherine Groves
Parament Chairman: Deb Probst
Communion Chairman: Joan Kettner
Women’s Bible Study:
Evening Bible Study (5 PM – Third Tues. of Month)
Study Leader: Debbie Nebgen
Hostess: Debbie Nebgen
Memorials: Church Office 347-5582 or
Alice Starks 347-5719
We wish to thank those who have so graciously
contributed their time and talents toward the ministry of
St. Paul Lutheran Church.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
The Rev. Tim Scheffel
Mrs. Debbie Nebgen
Mrs. Adotia Rode
Mrs. Ann Mahnken
Pastor
Church Administrator
Music Coordinator
Youth Coordinator
Church Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
(325)347-5582 (Office)
(325)347-8420 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stpaulmason.com
Howard Hahn
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