FYI – This year’s UMW Yard Sale for Missions will be held September 5, 6, & 7.  Once again we have been graciously given the Family Life Center for two full weeks in August to collect items and set-up as we go for the sale.  Collection will start on Monday, August 19, and end on Friday, August 30.  We will collect Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Please start thinking now about what you might want to donate and remember you can’t procrastinate with this shortened collection schedule!

Getting to know each other:

Pastor John and Jane are hosting some “Getting to Know Each Other” dessert nights. These are very informal, relaxed times of dessert provided by Pastor John and Jane. These fellowship times are for all our new members and recently attending people to meet one another and have conversation. There is no solicitation or expectations to sign up for anything as these are genuinely times of fellowship and meeting others who are new to the congregation. If you are a long attending member and did not have the chance to go to a “Getting to Know You event’ when Pastor John and Jane first were assigned to St. Paul, then feel free to come to one of these gatherings. There are 3 dates: July 10^th, July 24^th and August 28^th. All are at 6:30pm at the Parsonage of 487 Starr Ave Chambersburg 17202. Please sign up on the clip boards or email Pastor John at jkratz@susumc.org so that we have enough dessert for all. Looking forward to this fellowship!

Join us this summer for the MANE event!!! “Roar” VBS is happening July 8-12 (9am-12 noon). Pink registration forms are available on all welcome tables in the Narthex and FLC as well as in A2. You can also register online at: www.vbspro.events/p/spumcroar.  Preregistration is happening now! Be one of the first 30 families to sign up and get a FREE “Roar” CD!!!!

Vacation Bible School “Roar” – Join us as we embark on an amazing African safari from July 8-12 (9am-12noon). VBS is open for toilet trained children age 3- grade 5. Registration forms are available in room A2 and the tables in the back of the FLC and Narthex. Help is needed in the following areas:

Donation boards are up! If you can help with our VBS in any way, please contact Cindy Bowen at 717-372-8199. We need you to make this event successful!! Thank You!

Adult Christian Education Opportunities

Sunday 9:45 am Bible Study group (meets in A1). Our focus is to review and discuss the weekly Devotional readings from the Upper Room Disciplines daily Devotions readings with the purpose of applying the readings to our daily lives. Please contact John Byam for more information or just join us each Sunday in A1.

 

Sunday 11:00 am Passion Groups FOR ANYONE 13 & UP

Atmosphere PG

Do you have an “eye” for strategic decorating, and purposeful use of a space? Then the Atmosphere Passion Group is for you! Join with a small group to study the Bible and faith topics together, while simultaneously planning how to create the most intentional and strategically decorated worship space for St. Paul’s 9:45 worship experience. Stage lighting, painting, building, and decorating are key components of this group. This group will meet from 11am-12pm Sunday mornings in the Youth Room. This Passion Group is led by Shelley Saber.

 Music PG

Do you love worshiping through song? Is Word FM or the contemporary music station on Spotify, Alexa, or Pandora one of your best friends? Do you play a musical instrument or love to sing? Then the Music Passion Group is for you! Join with a small group to study the Bible and faith topics together, while simultaneously discovering the difference between worship and performance; answering questions like, how do you play an instrument or sing with excellence but keep a humble spirit of worship. This Passion Group will meet from 11am-12pm on Sunday mornings in A1. This Passion Group is led by Michelle Flook.

 Tech PG

Do you have a passion for audio/visual elements? Lighting, sound, video? Then the Tech Passion Group is for you! Join with a small group to study the Bible and faith topics together, while simultaneously discussing and planning the lighting, sound, and video elements for the 9:45 worship service at St. Paul. Learn the ins and outs of the new sound equipment, new lighting options, and new live streaming video features! This Passion Group will meet from 11am-12pm on Sunday mornings in the back of the FLC. This Passion Group is led by Brian and Paula Goodhart.

 

11:00 am QUEST

The QUEST Adult Christian Education group meets Sunday’s at 11 am in the St Paul library. Our goal is to learn about God’s love and salvation.  We use the “Right Now “ internet media platform to enhance, clarify and promote our understanding of God, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  We are made whole by God and prepared to share His “Good News” with others.  Please come and see. 

 Sunday 6pm – church nursery, join the FLIGHT (Families Learning in God’s House Together) Group. This is a relaxed, family-friendly group, where all are welcome!  Led by Nicole Buhrman.

 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of the Month at 10am in the Parlor

We enjoy fellowship with each other in a relaxed and supportive setting. As a small group we decide what Christian focus study we will discuss. In the past we have talked about enhancing  loving relationships,  discerning God’s voice in our lives and other Christian themes. We invite you to join us.

 Wednesday Evenings at the home of the Pastor at 487 Starr Ave Chambersburg we have an adult Bible Study. Pastor John leads a study of books of the Bible and we discuss life applications from that study. We eat together at 6:30 (cover dish sharing) and then have study from 7:00-8:30. This smaller atmosphere allows for more in depth reflection and application. Please contact Pastor John at jkratz@susumc.org for more information.

 Campus PG

Do you connect with God through nature and the outdoors? Do you have a passion for produce and flower gardening, and caring for an outdoor space? Then the Campus Passion Group is for you. Join with a small group to study the Bible and faith topics together, while simultaneously caring for St. Paul’s Community Garden and campus. This group will meet on Thursdays from 5:30-7:30pm at the St. Paul Community Garden picnic table. This Passion Group is led by Chris Mayer.

 Hospitality PG

Meets the Saturday before the 1^st Sunday at 5pm in the Family Life

Center Hospitality Passion Group: Do you have a passion for hospitality? Do you have a heart for welcoming a stranger into your life and into the life of your faith community?  Do you enjoy greeting people, feeding people, and or getting to know people?  Have you or would you like to serve as a greeter, a small group host, an usher, a parking lot greeter, a pew/row greeter, or providing snack on a Sunday morning? If so then this is the group for you! We meet once a month for a devotional moment, and discussion on becoming a welcoming church through the act of hospitality. During our meeting time we assist in setting up the Family Life Center for Communion and Worship for the 1^st Sunday of the month. The hospitality group is led by Darlene Coldsmith.

2018 St. Paul Community Garden Harvest Results!

We had a total of 929.97 pounds of produce harvested from our garden this year.  This produce was given to our local community through the St. Paul Food Pantry.  June 7^th – November 12^th. A Huge thanks to: Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Boy Scout Troop, Childcare Center, Other St. Paul Attendees for growing this bountiful harvest this year! If anyone would like to help with and/or donate to this cause, please talk to Sammy.