The End?
As we come into November, we are coming up on the end of the church year. This is a time for us to reflect on Christ’s second coming and the final judgement. To kick it off, we have All Saints Day, the time when we remember all those faithful who have departed and are with Christ, awaiting the resurrection of the dead. It is a day to remember the hope that we have in Christ and the promises that death is not the end and we will be raised to life eternal on the last day. The remaining Sundays become more and more scary as we have readings about the end times and the final judgement. Things are coming to an end, and Christ warns us to be ready. Except, it’s not really the end. That is the hope that Christ gives us. Because when Christ returns, he is coming to make a new beginning. We are given a promise that we will be brought into a new kingdom, one that will stretch from sea to sea and will never end. It’s not the end, but the start of something bigger and better. That’s why the church year circles back around. When we get to the end of November, we prepare ourselves once again for the season of Advent, and we hear the words of God, “Behold, I am making all things new!” (Revelation 21:5)
| Date | Attendance | Offering | Mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-06 | 53 | $2,141.00 | |
| 10-13 | 49 | $4,218.19 | |
| 10-20 | 61 | ||
| 10-27 | 64 | $2,961.00 | |
| Parking Lot | $600 | ||
| Chapel | $100.00 | ||
| Car Portal | $400.00 | ||
| Men’s Restroom | $300.00 |
Our sympathy to the family of Loralee ‘Lee’ Wahls who was given Christian burial on September 7, 2024. Lee was born September 20, 1929, was baptized in Pontiac on April 4, 1930. She confirmed her baptismal vows on June 12, 1949.
Our sympathy to the family of Stacie Lynn Hensley who was given Christian burial on September 16, 2024. Stacie was baptized and confirmed on February 19, 2012.
Susie Erdman has transferred her membership to Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. We ask God’s blessings upon her in her new fellowship.
We welcome Elizabeth and Ed Easley who have transferred their membership from Trinity Lutheran Church in Centerbrook CT to our church. We are blessed to have them in our fellowship.
Please notify Joy if anyone could be removed from the Prayer List.
Cleaning Little Lambs’ room and quiet room: Playing in the Little Lambs and quiet rooms is fun! That also means, though, that germs are being shared. I plan to clean most of the items in those rooms once a week, and even though it doesn’t take long, having a few people to help would make it faster and a little easier. If you’re able and willing to help, I would appreciate it! Kayla
The Chenoa food pantry current needs are canned meats, soups, and canned pasta.
With a chill in the air, it is a good time of year to cozy up with a book. Our November read will be the American classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. A tale of coming of age that offers a glimpse into a little corner of the world a century ago yet still has the power to resonate to our lives today. We will be meeting Thursday November 14th at 6:30 at the church. Anyone is welcome to join.
On December 12th at 6pm we will be meeting at the Easley’s home for dinner and a white elephant exchange. You are asked to bring a favorite book wrapped for the exchange.
Once again this year we are using silk poinsettias for Christmas. A sign up sheet is above the podium in the narthex. An envelope is available for payment and checks should be made payable to St. Paul Lutheran. Please mark ‘paid’ beside your name. If you would like to donate one in memory or in honor of someone, the cost is $35. Deadline to sign up is November 17th. Any questions should be directed to Lois Pulaski.
A huge thank you to ALL that made the blanket project a success! Thanks much to those that bought fleece and donated money towards the fabric, who brought food for our breakfast and helped clean the kitchen, the 12 ladies that came on Saturday to tie the blankets, to Lois and Pam that took charge and cut the blankets, to Melodee that made the blanket tags and to Pastor Kyle for his help in choosing the Bible verse for the tags (Psalm 4:8), The goal was 20 blankets and at last count there were 29 completed. Thanks also to Pam for delivering the blankets to the Chenoa Food Pantry, I would love to hear your feedback so contact me regarding perhaps another breakfast/blanket gathering in the future. God’s Blessings, Diane
Trunk or Treat: Thank you to everyone who helped with Trunk or Treat! It was a great success. Hopefully next year we have more trunk or treaters show up!
Our congregation received another $1000 for LCMS Disaster Response. This will be matched with $1 for every $2 given.
The Chenoa Women’s Club is once again organizing Thanksgiving food baskets for needy families and individuals in our community. There is a box in the narthex for collection of stuffing, canned fruits, canned vegetables, fruit cups and pudding cups, canned pasta, canned meats, chunky soups, peanut butter, mac & cheese, tuna, and cereals. Last day for donations is Sunday, November 17th; monetary donations may be made out to Chenoa Women’s Club and mailed to Chenoa Women’s Club, P.O.103, Chenoa IL 61726
Christmas in Appalachia The Lexington-based Servants of our LORD Ministry will have our Christmas distribution for kids and teens in eastern Kentucky on Dec. 3. We are still in need of the following: Throws to keep kids warm, socks of all sizes, activity items like crayons, color books, stickers, teen gifts (fuzzy socks, lotion, earrings, chapstick, flashlights, aftershave). Donations may be dropped off in the box in the parish hall, including hotel size items used for the homeless. Thrivent gift cards are a huge help to fill gaps, so if you have Thrivent and would like to use one of your cards to shop for what’s needed, we can assist you in completing the application and even shop for you if you want. Monetary donations for us to purchase these items may be sent to Servants of Our LORD, Box 224, Lexington, or given to Pastor. (Please note Christmas in the memo line.) All donations are needed by November 20th. We thank you for your help in making Christmas a little better for all the kids and teens we serve in some of the most impoverished counties in the country. For additional information and contact information, see servantsofourLORDministry.com or Facebook.com/servantsofourLORD. Thank you!
Camp CILCA will be celebrating 75 years of ministry next year and to celebrate that anniversary, Camp CILCA would like to offer the summer camp program for $75 per child per program week. The normal cost for a full week of camp is $375. They are asking congregations to consider a special mission donation of $1000 to help make this a reality for the campers. At the council meeting on Tuesday, it was voted upon to donate $1000 which will enable more children to afford a week at camp in God’s creation and learn about the Redeemer of that creation, Jesus Christ.
Available in the church office – a computer monitor and keyboard, see Joy if you are interested.
Please Note: The church has a new email address: stpaullutheranchenoa@gmail.com
There will be NO Children’s Sunday School next Sunday.
Note: A letter from our newly adopted Seminary Student can be found on the last page.
